Lash Love with Esqido

Hello lovely readers - how are you?  It's been a whirlwind of changes for me over the last 5 months, and I do apologize for the absence, but... We recently welcomed a little adventurer to our family, so my time has been occupied by this wonderful new addition! However, when I was given an opportunity that I could not pass up, I thought "this would be a great time to get back into blogging"! 

Esqido reached out to me, and offered me the chance to try out a pair of their lashes, as well as their lash glue*. I own a pair of Esqido Mink Lashes lashes that I purchased while at IMATS in NY, but at the time I was into the whole "go big or go home" makeup life, so the lashes I chose were pretty ridiculous extravagant (they didn't earn the name Lashmopolitan for being "natural"!).

The flamboyant Lashmopolitan lash, $29

 As much as I thought I'd wear them when I went out, I only rocked them once or twice because they are just so voluptuous, and frankly, over-the-top for regular use! So, when Esqido told me I could pick any pair I liked, I decided to play it a little more low-key, and chose the Starlet lash   - a little less dramatic than the Lashmopolitan, but with a bit of a pop to emphasize my eyes. The Starlet is a medium volume mink lash with a length of 4-10 mm (they start off smaller on the inside, and increase in length on the outer edges). 

The sexy yet demure Starlet lash, $29

Per the website:

"Get that glamorous starlet makeup look with this pair of clustered and wispy mink lashes. Short yet voluminous, this lash is designed to provide enough volume at a shorter length to accentuate your eyes without looking too long. Suitable even for smaller eyes. The ends are also winged out to give a beautiful lifted effect to your eyes.

The ultimate in luxury, our mink lashes meticulously handcrafted with premium mink hairs, and a soft cotton band. Discover our collection of beautiful styles you can wear again and again, suitable for any occasion."

In addition to the lashes, I was sent a tube of the Companion Eyelash Glue:

Companion Eyelash Glue, $10 for .18 oz

"Our best selling Companion Eyelash Glue is the only eye lash glue that offers an extremely strong & sticky hold, with a safe, long lasting formulation. You’ll never have to worry about your false lashes falling out. It also gets incredibly tacky in seconds, for quick lash application. Specially formulated for sensitive eyes and all types of false eyelashes, our lash adhesive is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and formaldehyde free, paraben free, and 5-free. It’s also waterproof. Great for those who experience watery eyes or are irritated/allergic to other glues. Goes on white, dries clear.With a precision brush tip, it’s super easy to simply brush on the perfect amount to your fake lashes. Compared to drugstore eyelash glue, the Companion glue is non-latex, and packs a good amount of product in a beautiful bottle. When you’re ready, it’s easy to remove with oil free makeup remover." 

When I received the package in the mail, I was so stinking excited to try them out! The packaging is so nice - the lashes came in their own little reusable bag! Unfortunately, for me, #momlife does not often give me the opportunity to wear falsies, so I had to wait for the chance. But, as luck would have it, my SIL was getting married and I was a bridesmaid getting all dolled up for the wedding - what better time to try out my new lashes?!?

With the Lashmopolitans, I had to trim off some of the outer edge so they would fit my eye, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do so with the Starlet lashes, but I did. The lashes, though shorter and "suitable for smaller eyes", were still fairly long band-wise. I typically don't have this problem with falsies - I am pretty much able to wear them straight out of the package, so I found the need to trim them slightly annoying. However, I do understand that people have different shaped eyes, so while they may have been to long for me, they are probably the perfect length for someone else, and might even be too short for others. I did have to take a few extra minutes to fit them to my eye, but it was an easy fix - I used some tiny scissors to take off a few segments off the outside edge - and they then fit my eye perfectly. 

These lashes are definitely high-quality, the band is cottony vs the plastic band that comes on less expensive brands, but that makes them slightly harder to work with, in my very humble opinion. Practice makes perfect though, so the more you wear lashes, the easier they are to apply. The lashes themselves, being made of mink, are very soft, and blend in seamlessly with your natural lashes. 

The Companion Eyelash Glue is downright luxurious when it comes to lash glue. The packaging is so pretty - a clear frosted tube with gold accents, and the formula is just as fabulous! I am a big fan of brush-on glue - I just find it so much easier to apply the perfect amount to the lash band. The glue goes on white, with almost a pearly finish, but it dries completely clear. It did take a little longer than I expected to get tacky, but that allowed me a little flexibility to make sure the lashes were perfectly positioned on my eye. As described, the hold is VERY strong; once applied, these lashes did not budge, and I needed a jackhammer firm hand to remove them. Additionally, there was no irritation from the glue as there can be with other glues, my eyes did not water when they came in contact with the formula, and there was no lingering redness once the lashes and glue were removed.

 The website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and offers a large selection of lash styles to choose from, both real mink and Unisyn -  their premium synthetic lashes.  If you're new to lashes, or are not quite sure which direction to take as far as style, they offer an interactive lash guide to help you find your perfect pair. There is a blog that offers loads of useful information (though I do think their post for stay-at-home-moms is a little far-fetched...I wish I had the luxury of applying lashes before running out to the grocery store!), as well as a reward program with some pretty fabulous rewards. 

Overall, I am really happy with the Esqido Mink Lashes and the Companion Eyelash Glue. I think for the quality of the product and the longevity of the lashes when properly handled, the price is fair. Sure, you can get lashes for much less - some for even $1-2 a pop - but you will immediately see the difference in craftsmanship and performance. Whether you are a beginner, or a true lash aficionado, you will undoubtedly feel elegant, sexy, and more than a little pampered while wearing Esqido lashes.

Do you have any experience with falsies?  What are your favorite lashes? Any tips for easier application? Please, share in the comments below!

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today! Hope to see you again soon!

Live a beautiful life,

~Jessica

*This product was gifted to me in exchange for my unbiased review. I have no affiliation with Esquido, nor do I receive compensation for any purchases made from my review / links in my blog. 

Gone astray...and Happy Holidays!

Hi Lovely readers! 

It's been an inexcusably long time since I last checked in - it shocks and saddens me to see 6 months have passed since my last post! I just wanted to touch base with all of you to let you know that, while I've gone astray, I do plan to continue blogging, and sharing new products, tips, tricks and reviews with you. The past 6 months have brought many changes in my life, and there are more to come in the near future, but I have missed sharing my love of beauty with you all. Please stay tuned for new posts in the beginning of 2018! If you have any questions about products, or there is something you would like me to try out and review, please share below. I hope you are all well, and that you are living your most beautiful life! 

Warmest wishes of a happy and healthy holiday season ~ see you in 2018!!

~Jessica

Favorite 5: ColourPop Lippie Stix

Hi Lovelies -

I'm a HUGE fan of affordable, high-quality makeup products - and if it's cruelty-free, it's for me - which is why I love ColourPop! They have an amazing selection of lip colors and formulas, and have been growing rapidly to include brow, eye and face products a well! They come out with new products and develop new shades on the reg, making it easy to keep up with trends without doing too much damage to your wallet! They offer some great kits that contain several of their fabulous products to try for one low price, and it's always worth it to check out the Last Call  section of their website to snag some discontinued products at a 20% off!  I enjoy so many of their offerings, but my biggest addiction is their lip products - Lippie Stix, Lippie Pencils, Ultra-Matte, Ultra-Blotted, Ultra-Satin, Ultra-Metallic Liquid Lips...there is truly a lip shade and formula for everyone! I am almost always blown away by the pigmentation, high-end feel, and longevity of their lip products, and for $6 or less with free shipping over $30, you seriously can't beat the value.  There are so many of their lip products that I love and reach for daily,  I want to share my favorites with you. I'm going to break it down into two posts to make things easier - Lippie Stix, and then Liquid Lip colors; today, let's talk about my 5 favorite ColourPop Lippie Stix :)


Lumiere - $5

Source

Lumiere was one of the first ColourPop products I ever bought, and it remains one of my top must-haves; it definitely sparked my addiction to ColourPop! It is a dusty mauve pink, definitely leans cool, and IMO is simply stunning! It can be worn alone for a more subtle look, or paired with the matching Lippie Pencil for a more opaque, intense mauve lip that lasts and lasts.

Lumiere - natural light

Lumiere - artificial light

Cookie - $5

Cookie is described as a warm brown nude, and it is my most reached for of the five Lippie Stix. This color goes with any look, from "no-makeup makeup" to the most outrageous smoky eye. If I don't want to think about it too much, I just want things to be simple and easy, or I'm not sure what color will work best with my LOTD, I go with Cookie, and it always works.

Source

Cookie swatch 

Cookie

Cookie - indoors

Cookie - natural lighting (outdoors)

Tootsi - $5

Source

Tootsti is a pinky greige shade, a cooler take on Cookie. It has that gray undertone that might scare some people, but for those of you interested in trying out the trend, it is definitely user-friendly and not too over-the-top...really, it's the perfect greige shade. It also has a matching Lippie Pencil.

Tootsi swatch 

Tootsi - with flash

Tootsi - no flash

Tootsi - indoors

Grunge - $5

Source

A mid-toned red brown, Grunge is a bit of a darker take on your everyday lip color. I must admit, I was initially drawn to the nostalgia of the name more than the color, as I was a child of the 90's and definitely lived that grunge life for awhile (Doc Martens, flannel everything, dog collars and my dad's old sweaters were my wardrobe staples - don't judge). However, when I actually put Grunge on my lips, I knew it was the perfect shade for those days when you want a little more oomph, but still want to keep with a neutral-ish hue. It is a true 90's lipcolor - matching Lippie Pencil and mini-backpack optional.

Grunge swatch

Grunge - with flash

Grunge - no flash

Grunge - natural light

Brink - $5

Source

This terracota rose shade is my ultimate YLBB (your lips but better) color. When I'm feeling drab or not quite up to adulting, this Lippie instantly brings life back to my face and makes me feel pulled together when I'm not.  Lippie Pencil also available.

Brink swatch

Brink - with flash

There you have my 5 favorite ColourPop Lippe Stix! Have you tried any ColourPop Lippie Stix? What do you think of the product? What are your favorite shades?

Thanks so much for reading - remember, live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

Review: Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Tree

Hi Lovelies -

Hope you are well, and that spring has sprung where you are! We are expecting a SNOWSTORM here in New England, and it's no April Fool's joke!

To get my mind off of snow and on to warmer weather, I've been thinking about flowers...Sunflowers to be exact. For Christmas my DH gave me a Benjebelle Sunflower Brush tree*, and I've been meaning to review it; so, what better time then now - with snow in the forecast, but spring on my mind?

Benjabelle is a small, Madison, WI based company owned by Ben and Jan. According to their website, one day Jan was washing her makeup brushes when she asked Ben if they could  create a device that would allow her brushes to dry vertically, thus minimizing dry time and reducing the space the brushes take up on the counter. They put their heads together, and voila!-  the Benjabelle brush tree was born!

There are 5 different styles of brush tree to choose from, all of which are available in your choice of black, white or pink:

• Original $34.95- holds 14 large brushes or up to 42 small brushes
• Daisy $19.95- accomodates 2 large brushes, 4 medium, and 8 small
• Mini $24.95- dries up to 24 thin brushes
• Tulip $24.95- holds the same number of brushes as the Daisy, but in a more compact setup
• Sunflower $39.95- the largest of the brush trees, and the one I will review for you today

There is also an optional Spinner available for $12.00, which converts any of the above models into a rotating brush tree, and creates 4 "cubbies" in which you can store small items, like brush cleaner or makeup sponges. In addition to the brush trees, Benjabelle also offers organic brush shampoo, foaming wash, and cleansing balm. 

The Sunflower Brush Tree

The Sunflower is the largest of the 5 brush trees available from Benjabelle. It costs $39.95, plus shipping ($4.95 in the US).

Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Stree

Please excuse the water spots - it's a well loved brush tree :)

 The brush tree consists of a plastic "top" with various silicone holders for your brushes, as well as the base (two plastic "legs"). It is simple to set up and to disassemble, and takes up very little space on your counter. When broken down, it is about the size of a typical tablet, and can be easily stored away.  All materials used in the brush trees are made in America, and the silicone used in the gripper slots is peroxide free and FDA approved.

Close up of the silicone brush holders

This brush tree easily fits all of my makeup brushes

According to the website, the Sunflower can dry 4 large brushes, 6 medium brushes, and 16 small brushes; however, I can tell you from personal experience that, depending upon the thickness of your brush handles, you can get many more brushes comfortably into the slots. IE: For small eye brushes, I can typically get two per small slot, making a total of 32 brushes just in the small holders! I can fit up to 4 small brushes in the medium slots,  2 medium brushes in the large slots, etc. - it's exceptionally versatile! On this particular day I did not have too many brushes to clean, but on a typical day this tree is packed! I can wash practically every brush I own, and I'm able to fit them all in with a little strategic placement.

Simply push the brush handle up through the silicone slot, and you are good to go!

Water drips down from the brushes, resulting in shorter dry-time

I'm amazed at how quickly the brushes dry when hung upside down like this! I used to lay my brushes down on top of the microfiber mat, prop cans of hairspray underneath so they drained properly, and even went to far as to individually wrap each brush head in toilet paper or paper towels to facilitate dry time! Talk about time-consuming! This is so quick and easy - wash the brush, squeeze out excess water, and pop it up into the silicone slot! Within a couple of hours, the small brushes are dry, and the larger brushes are well on their way to being dry! What used to be a 24 hour process has been cut down by at least half!

The Sunflower Brush Tree can accommodate a variety of brush sizes

Drying brushes upside down gives your brushes a longer life

 Drying your brushes in this vertical position (bristles down) helps prolong their life. When brushes are dried on their side- or worse, bristles up -  water can pool at the base brush. This causes damage to both the bristles, as well as the ferrule (part that holds the bristles together and attaches the brush head to the handle), resulting in a loss of bristles, or even the total destruction of the brush. The more you know... (insert musical notes here).

When I opened my brush tree after getting it for Christmas, I was very sad to discover that one of the plastic legs was cracked in half. I tried to glue it back together, but it just didn't line up correctly. I emailed Benjabelle, and quickly received a response from Ben, who told me that he was sorry to hear that I received a broken leg and that he would mail me out replacement legs right away. Only a few days later, I received my new legs, along with a bonus brush Cleansing Balm! So thoughtful! I am very happy to say that not only is the product amazing, but the customer service is wonderful as well!

Benjabelle Organic Brush Cleansing Balm

The Cleansing Balm is available for $14.95 on the Benjabelle website. It comes in a small metal tin, making it easy to use and store. It is made with natural ingredients, free from preservatives, artificial colors and fragrances, and animal byproducts. I was impressed with how well it  deep-cleaned my brushes - removing all traces of foundation and concealer - and that it also conditions the bristles, leaving them so soft and well-maintained!

Filthy foundation brush, ready for a thorough cleaning!

So easy to use, simply dampen, swirl in the the tin, and rinse!

I give the brush a little swipe over my Sigma Express Spa Glove, and then rinse away the old makeup!

Sparkling clean, well-conditioned brush!

Final Thoughts

I am thrilled to have received this brush tree for Christmas - it has been a game-changer for sure! I still may not LOVE the task of brush washing, but having this little gem makes things so much easier; it takes up less of my time and counter space, and it drastically reduces drying time! I have had such a great experience with the products and the company that I highly recommend the Benjabelle brush tree and the cleansing balm to anyone who owns makeup brushes.  I am thinking of ordering the spinner soon to see how it works...if I do, I will be sure to let you all know my thoughts! 

Have you tried any of the Benjabelle Brush trees, or a similar product? What are your thoughts?

Thanks so much for checking out this post! Have a great weekend, and live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

*The Benjabelle Sunflower was purchased at full price. This review was not sponsored by Benjabelle in any way. All opinions are my own, and are based on my experiences. 

The Blogger Tag

Hi lovely readers!

Hope you are all well, and 2017 has been good for you thus far! I was given the chance to participate in a Blogger Tag that Cassie at Zombie Goddess Beauty created. It's all about what prompted me to create Ms. Adventures in Makeup, and what keeps me motivated. Check out my answers below, and feel free to tag other bloggers - just please make sure to loop back to me and Cassie, and go check out her awesome blog! 

1. When did you start your blog?
My first blog post was in August of 2014 - about 2.5 years ago!

2. Why did you start blogging? 

I had been wanting to start a blog for awhile, but wasn't sure which direction I wanted to take it (food, lifestyle, etc.). My friend Melissa had started a YouTube channel about makeup, which inspired me to start writing about beauty. 

3. Where did your blog name come from? 

I had several different ideas, but many of them were already being used. I like wordplay, and wanted to bring it into my blog name...I liked "Miss Adventures in Makeup", but since I felt like I was a little older than the average beauty blogger just starting out, I decided "Ms Adventures..." was more appropriate.

4. What do you blog about?

All things beauty and makeup related - product reviews, looks, unboxings, etc. 

5. What is the first blog you started following?

Gosh...it was so long ago that I started reading blogs on the regular. I believe the first blog I every started seriously following was Nothing But Bonfires. Holly is an incredible writer, and I just love her wit and the way she tells a story. Unfortunately, she hasn't written a post in quite some time...but I still hold out hope. As for beauty blogs, I'll have to give it to Karen at  Makeup and Beauty Blog - to me, Karen is the OG BB, and she is always in-the-know when it comes to new trends and products!

6. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Sharing my experiences with my readers - letting them know what has worked and hasn't worked for me, showing them how I create a look, and giving them the tools to make decisions on products and/or shades. 

7. What do you find is the toughest thing about blogging?

I have a hard time posting regularly. Sometimes I am able to post often, and at other times my posts are more spread out. It all comes down to having the time to take pictures, having the money to purchase new items, and having the inspiration for new blog posts. 

8. What is your biggest blogging pet peeve?

Not being able to always buy a product when it is new and relevant. It may take me a little longer to acquire a hot new item, and by the time I get it, I feel like the moment has passed.

9. What camera and photo editing software do you use?

TBH, I usually just use my phone camera - it's always there, the pictures are easy to edit,  and they automatically upload to the cloud, making it super easy to add the photos to my blog post. I used to try to use a real camera, but it became so time consuming, so I decided to simplify. Maybe that's a little basic of me, but I'm OK with it, lol. 

10. What is you dream campaign?

I would love to do something for MAC - it would be a dream-come-true to be given a new collection to review, or products to create a look with. 

11.  How do you come up with posts ideas?

My ideas stem from buying a new product, or trying out a new look or technique. 

12. How do you stay motivated to keep writing?

It's a great artistic outlet, which satisfies a need for me. I will admit I lose motivation, but, as mentioned above, a new product or makeup look never fails to spark the excitement once again. Also, reading other blogs or watching YouTube videos is great motivation. 

13. What are your blogging goals for the next year?

Just to continue to post. Trying to keep to a schedule would be awesome, but as long as I am able to share what I can with my readers, I am happy. 

14. What advice would you give to new bloggers?

Write from the heart, write what makes you happy and interests you...people will read it. 

15. Lastly, Recommend 5 Bloggers for anyone reading this to check out. 

Below are the top five blogs currently on my reading list  - let me know if you check any of them out!

• Makeup and Beauty Blog  - Karen is always so on top of things - definitely an inspiration for beauty bloggers!
• The Fitnessista  - Seriously, #Fitnessgoals. Gina is amazing, and so well balanced!She offers readers a little bit of everything: posts about fitness, health, beauty, lifestyle and parenting!
• Putting Me Together - I love Audrey's no-nonsense approach to fashion, and the way she shows readers how to create several looks with a few basic pieces.
• Nouveau Cheap - Up-to-the-minute beauty deals and steals - I've gotten some awesome bargains thanks to this blog! 
• Slashed Beauty - More deals on beauty items, as well as tips and tutorials.

I hope you enjoyed reading this tag and learning a little more about me and my blog. Please feel free to tag other bloggers, and to share this Tag! Thank you so much to cassie for inviting me to participate in this tag, and thanks to all of you readers for joining me!

Live a beautiful life! 

~Jessica

Holiday Must-Haves 2016

Hello you lovely readers!

Are you in disbelief? Blinking your eyes to make sure you're seeing things clearly? Well, it's true, it's me, I'm back! Sorry for the hiatus, I can't even believe it's been so long since I last posted! Where does the time go? Life has a way of just racing by if you're not paying attention!

I want to get back to posting again, and sharing all of my awesome tips and product finds with you! I don't want to say I was on a no-buy this whole time, but I definitely did limit my makeup purchasing to the necessities so that I could use up the products I had and make room for new products. When you're not buying much makeup, there isn't much to talk about lol! BUT, now that I'm looking to add to my collection again, you can expect to see me around a little more :)

To kick things off (again), I want to share some of my favorites right now. Many are holiday inspired, and make great gifts for others...or yourself, if we're being honest, hehe.


Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector and Mineral Blush Duo ~ $38

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfecter
 and Mineral Blush Duo in Pamplemousse / Prosecco Pop

Wow, that is a mouthful!  Looking for that perfect flush with just the right amount of shimmer to make your new year Pop? This duo is perfect! Combining a poppin' highlight shade (see what I did there?) with a beautiful mineral blush, this duo is sure to make your holiday sparkle and shine! There are four color combos, two with the highlight that started it all -the infamous Champagne Pop - and two with the newest addition to Jaclyn Hill's highlight collection - Prosecco Pop, which is a bit more gold-toned than the original. The blush shades range from Flowerchild, which is a lovely shade of pinky peach, to Hyacinth, a bright fuchsia shade. All are gorgeous, and there is at least one combo that is sure to suit your tastes.

ColourPop Ultra-Satin Liquid Lipstick in London Fog - $6.00

ColourPop UltraSatin Lippie in London Fog

Nothing screams "Happy Holidays" louder than a bright-red lip, and right now I'm all about this cool-toned pinky-red liquid lipstick from CoulourPop's Ultra-Satin Lippie Collection.  The staying power of this $6.00 lipstick is beyond impressive, and the satin formula is much more comfortable on the lips than the ultra-matte lipsticks by the same company. The one caveat - it does smudge (which the ultra-mattes do not tend to do), so just be careful if you eat / drink and wipe your mouth...you may end up with lipstick where it doesn't belong! However, I wore this a full 12 hours the other day, and only had to touch it up once! If you're not a liquid lipstick fan, then I highly recommend CoulourPop's Lippie Stix in Bossy - another festive holiday red!

MAC Eyeshadow in Humid - $6.00-$16.00

MAC Shadow Pro Palette Refill Pan  in Humid

So, we have the softly shimmering, perfectly flushed cheekbones and the vivid red lips...what are we missing to make this holiday look really come together? Why, green eyelids, of course! Now, you might be thinking: "Ok, Jessica, you had me up until this point...but GREEN SHADOW?!!? You must be drinking some pretty good wine... ", but hear me out. Humid is an amazingly beautiful, intense green shade with just the right amount of sparkle. It is gorgeous all over the lid in a one-shadow look, it pairs beautifully with golds and bronzes, and it is just what you're looking for in a pop of color either winged out on the top lashline, or smudged under the lower lashline. Seriously, so versatile, festive and unexpected!

If you're still a feeling a bit reluctant, there are some more subdued options for you to add a bit of green during the holidays: MAC Greensmoke is a stunning silvery olive shade, and MAC Sumptuous Olive is for those who like a more golden sheen - legit,the perfect khaki color. Now that MAC shadow refill pans are just $6.00 each, you can try out all three of these green shadows without breaking the bank (they also offer individual shadow compact for $16)!


Urban Decay Primer Potion - $8 - $20

Urban Decay Primer Potion, Original formula

Tired of creasing shadow that doesn't last the night? You need a quality eyeshadow primer in your life! I've tried many, and the one I've turned to time and time again is the iconic Urban Decay Primer Potion! Apply this sparingly to your lids, and your shadow will lock in place and stay there the whole night through!


Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate - $55

Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate

You want to talk about full-coverage, long lasting foundation? Marc Jacob's Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate is IT! This magic fluid packs a powerful punch, with the tiniest amount going a very long way! I'm not joking, this stuff covers! The first time I used it was out of one of those little sample lacons from Sephora, and I didn't listen to the advice I had been given to use this sparingly. I learned quickly that less is more, and to thickly slather this on is a big no-no - you will look like you're wearing  a mask!
For the best results, shake it very well, and apply in small dots (start with one small dot on each quadrant of your face and blend out - you can add more if needed, but you cannot take away!); if you follow those steps, you will be thrilled with the coverage, look and feel of this foundation. Just be aware that it can cling to dry patches, so make sure you moisturize well, and use a primer. Not only does it cover all imperfections, but it feels light as a feather (if you use it correctly), and it lasts a ridiculously long time; you actually need to be diligent about removing it at the end of the day, it stays on so well that you need to work a little harder to get it all off!


Urban decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - $31

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

The final step in any look, especially one you want to last, should be a setting spray. This locks your makeup in place, creates a seamless, more natural look, and absorbs excess oil. My favorite right now is All Nighter, which helps prolong your makeup, preventing fading and settling, but they also have DeSlick, which controls oil and deflects shine for a matte look (another fave of mine), and Chill, which is cools and hydrates. Whichever you choose, all will set your makeup in place and help it last.
While this is currently sold out on the UD website (they are revamping their packaging, and will restock in the new year), you can still pick up a bottle at Sephora.
Another great option for those with drier skin, or who prefer a more dewy look, is MAC Prep + Prime Fix + . I use this to set my makeup when my skin is feeling parched from the cold weather and drying heat, or as a makeup refresher throughout the day. I also use this to wet my beauty blender when I'm not near a sink  too lazy to get up and go to a sink,  and also to apply eyeshadow or pigments, which gives eyes that foiled effect and really makes the eyeshadow pop (just spritz your brush after you pick up a little shadow or pigment, and gently pat it on to the lid - instant intensity!)

There's a reason Urban decay is on my list twice - their primers and setting sprays just don't quit! I have and will continue to repurchase both items time and time again. Also, their rewards program is pretty sweet...Sign up for UD Beauty Junkies (the Urban Decay Rewards Program), and earn points towards "kickbacks", or discounts on purchases!*

So, there are my top beauty products to get me through the festivities of  the holiday season! I hope you are inspired by my picks; please inspire me as well by sharing your must-have products in the comments below!

Thanks so much for visiting with me - it's so nice to be back with you!

Live a beautiful life,

~Jessica


*Referral link