December Favorites & A New Year!

9:00 AM


Happy New Year everyone!

Facing the fresh start of 2014, I am feeling immensely blessed at the amazing things that have happened this year. 2013 wasn't so much about the tangible things that I had, but more so reminders of not taking for granted the things that I've always had: my family. From my sister battling and overcoming cancer to welcoming our puppy Oreo (his instagram) into our lives, I feel like I can't reflect on the past year without a great depth of appreciation for the love around me, especially when it was least expected.

I wanted to write this first before getting into my favorites because I know it seems like each month a lot of the talk goes into consumable products and tips for surface-level beauty but ultimately this blog, my videos, and everything else I talk about means so much more to me than just things. You guys give me passion. It's about how we touch each others' lives and bring each other confidence, hope, and positivity in a world where there is far too little of it and far too much judgement and cruelty.

For this next year, it's my resolution to (of course) continue bringing you my thoughts on my favorite products, but more than that, to bring you the ability to be more yourself by loving yourself at every stage of your face and body. Hopefully recommending a few good things will give you more time to spend doing you. Let's all be more comfortable in our own skin in 2014!

With that, lets get on with this month's favs!

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

Ralphs Hazelnut Cappuccino Mix
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

One of my favorite products this month was the red that was on my lips during the video. Lime Crime's
Carousel Gloss in Candy Apple is fantastic for those who aren't afraid of a really strong shot of color, gloss, and sparkle. The short brush makes it easier to apply the sticky formula and get a precise application, plus the gloss is vanilla-scented.


The first time I tried it I was apprehensive since I assume bright glosses will go slip-sliding all over the lips only to get on teeth, clothes, and food by the end of the night. Thankfully this exceeded expectations. For someone who is chronically forgetful at reapplying, this gloss still looked vibrant and opaque after hours of dinner and drinks.


You'll notice here that the glitters really look like they are glowing, especially with how shiny the gloss is. Also, the formula is beautifully opaque like a solid lipstick. It does have a few drawbacks in that the outlines of the gloss will feather after some time and already chapped lips will do that gummy-peeling thing at the end of the night, but for a special evening where you really want some drama in your makeup, Candy Apple is a surefire stunner! It's now very high on my power lips rotation.

This isn't really a resolution per se, but I think I want to start wearing statement lips more this coming year. I just feel like it makes me feel so confident while being incredibly feminine and classy at the same time. Would you guys like me to do a roundup of my favorite reds? Let me know!

Readers, do you have any resolutions for 2014? What is your "power lips" color? Tell me in the comments!

You Might Also Like

27 comments

  1. wow what a pretty lipgloss!

    http://chelsealeighbeauty.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Out of all the red lipgloss I've seen, this is the best one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pretty lip gloss and Happy New Year =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love to see a round-up of your favorite red lip products, especially moisturizing formulas that I can wear on my ultra-dry winter lips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice suggestion, I'd like to see that too since I also have dry lips.
      N H Y C♥

      Delete
    2. Agreed. How about a round-up of each color category? Favorite reds, favorite corals, favorite roses, fuschias, favorite berries, etc. LOL, not trying to make you work harder Jen--just throwing out ideas!

      Delete
  5. Jen, you're so much more cheerful now! I love it! Happy new year :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely faves! The red lipgloss looks so nice.
    N H Y C♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. that mac riri blush... awesome ...can be used as blush and bronzer... awesome

    raisedrebeauty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful red lip Jen~ wishing you a very blessed 2014!

    LIVE.IN.LOVE

    ~

    ReplyDelete
  9. Reading this, you're making me want to get some. Lord knows I dont need anything else. I need to use up some of my stuff before I go out and get me something new.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Please, please do a tutorial on your eyeshadow look in this video! It looks like a beautiful sunset.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jen, you are such an inspiration :) Also, that lip color looks fantastic on you!

    http://www.mydailysweet.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. My power lip colour is MAC Candy Yum Yum, it's a strange one...

    Kah-Feh Yen

    ReplyDelete
  13. My power lip would probably have to be a darker mauve-- it makes me feel so classy hahaha
    biffsquiggled

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Jen, huge fan of your blog/videos. Your spirit translates beautifully! (FYI, I bought the Naked Palette for my "make-up newbie" sister and sent her all your tutorials using the Naked for inspiration - she loves them all!) ... Anyhow, 1) two fave power-lip hues are House of Exposure's Helmet Red, which looks gorgeous on Asian skin, and By Terry's lipstick in Carnal Attraction (a deep, non-vampy purple), which is terribly expensive at $50 a pop but the formula is SO hydrating and amazing; 2) I recommend "A Discovery of Witches" to read (pretty entertaining).

    FInally, a quick inquiry: I've now purchased twice the Eyeko liner, and for some reason, after just a couple uses, the color fades entirely on my skin and is no longer highly pigmented. I never leave it uncapped. I just can't figure out why it would do this - I do layer it over shadow, so I'm wondering if the shadow is causing it to fade. Have you ever had this happen to you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm, I would say the Eyeko liner dries out fairly quickly (like all felt tip pen-style liners) and gives a faded line due to that, but not because of the color itself. I will say the cap is very tricky in that it has to be snapped VERY tightly with a little click. My mom didn't realize this and hers dried up in a few days too!

      Delete
  15. That is such a gorgeous color!
    My resolutions this year aren't really anything too big; just to be more confident and come out of my shell even more than I did in 2013! I really want 2014 to be a great year so I'm just trying to keep a positive attitude :)

    x
    Kendra | It's a Bug's Life

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow!

    The color of that lipgloss is soooooo vibrant :)
    Happy New Year Jen :)

    1 Minute Hairstyle!

    PINKtistic!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Jen,

    Thank you so much for all of your wonderful videos. And happy new year!

    I'm not sure how to message you for requests, so I'm posting a "comment" here. I've been checking out a lot of the vintage/retro hair style and make up videos, but they don't work for me since I'm Asian (half Korean, half Chinese, actually), and we have very different features (having monolids for one) and hair texture. Could you please, please, please help to recreate a classic look? I'm trying to figure something out for a vintage car club night in 2 weeks!

    Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't personally have a hair tutorial, but you could try doing a fake curled roll with your bangs like I did in the 2NE1 Try To Follow Me tutorial. It looks very retro and works with our thicker hair. Just use a lot of hairspray and bobby pins! :D

      Delete
  18. very nice!! beautiful

    would you like to follow each other?kisses

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello Jen,
    I was wondering if I could please get your opinion on the makeup forever HD pressed powder vs. the hourglass ambient lighting powder. Thanks for your time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Hourglass powder is much more of a glowing, almost translucent-like setting powder whereas the Make Up For Ever HD pressed powder is the pressed version of their loose HD powder. I haven't personally tried the MUFE pressed version, but I can say the loose powder is 100% silica powder and gives a satin airbrushed look without any shimmer whatsoever. Hourglass Ambient has more of a lit glow to it. Hope that helps!

      Delete

Subscribe