Fab Five: My Top 5 Must-Have Beauty Products, December 2014

Hi Lovelies -

I want to share with you my top five beauty products for the merry month of December. These are my go-to winter favorites:

Source: Rimmel BB Cream Matte

BB or CC Cream  - this is great to apply for a quick base, or to use as a primer under foundation; my current go-to formula is Rimmel BB Cream Matte. Worn alone, it is super easy to apply and provides moderate coverage. As a primer, it provides a smooth, even base that foundation will glide right over. It moisturizes my skin to prevent the dreaded winter dryness, while at the same time keeping oil at bay. It creates a nice, soft look - neither too matte nor too dewy. I currently use a mix of light and medium, but as my summer glow continues to fade I will be using only light soon enough. I seriously love this stuff!

Source: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick

Red Lipstick - This is a must-have for me during the holidays! A red lip is fabulous any time of year, but it screams "Christmas" to me - it's just so merry - so I try to rock it a little more often during the holiday season. Because there are many, many formulas and shades available, there is a red lipstick suitable for everybody out there. Some of my current faves are Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Siren in Scarlet and New York Color in Retro Red.  I will be doing a post on  red lips soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Source: Elizabeth Mott You're So Fine Liquid Liner

Sparkly eyeliner - There's nothing more festive than glitter, am I right?!? Glittery eye shadow can be tons of fun, but can be a bit messy if not applied properly. If I'm feeling clumsy I don't have the time to mess with glitter shadow, I reach for the next best thing - sparkly eyeliner! I recently received the Elizabeth Mott You're so Fine Liquid Liner in Glitterati in one of my beauty boxes, and it is the perfect mix of inky black liner and subtle silver glitter - ideal for this time of year! The formula applies like a dream (seriously, one of the most effortless wings I have ever done), and once it dries it does not budge.

Source: Velour Lashes Whispie Sweet Nothings

Eyelashes - What goes hand in hand with red lips and sparkly eyes? LASHES! The more I try false lashes, the more I love them (and the better I get at applying them!)! Lashes can be super subtle or in-your-face dramatic; for a natural look with a bit of flare, try applying individual lashes or accent lashes. To really grab their attention, you can try full, flirty lashes or even lashes dripping with rhinestones. Whichever look you prefer, lashes are sure to give you that little extra "something" at your next holiday party!

Source: Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Cream

Last, but definitely not least, is a good Body Cream. My skin starts to get really dry and itchy in December, so I always upgrade my usual lotion to a nice, thick cream. Right now I am loving Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Shea Body Cream because it smells simply delicious, and whenever I apply it, it automatically puts me in the holiday spirit. While this might not be the scent for you, there are endless options in fragrance and texture (even unscented if that's what you prefer), so treat your skin well this winter and re-hydrate it with a rich body cream - you won't regret it.

Well there you have it - my Fab Five for December; hopefully I've inspired you to try something new! What are your December must-haves? I'm always looking for new products to try, so I would love to hear what you're loving this season :)

Thanks so much for reading - live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

Adore or Ignore: Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass Lip Tint

Hi again lovelies - let's talk Tints and Sass!

Tints & Sass, $22

Tints & Sass is a lip and cheek stain, similar to Benefit's Benetint. It is a sheer gel that can be applied to your lips or cheeks for a gentle wash of color, and can be built up by layering. In the past, I've tended to steer clear of such products because, frankly they scared the crap out of me ahem, intimidated me. I mean, it's a STAIN - it stains your skin- such products could go very wrong,very fast. However, for some reason unbeknownst to me, I've grown curious about lip and cheek stains and decided to step outside of my comfort zone and give one a try. Luckily, I had received Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass Lip Tint in one of my subscription boxes, and after a few months of it sitting in my collection, I decided to take it out a for a spin.

You can purchase Tints & Sass on the Elizabeth Mott Website for $22. On the webpage, Tints & Sass is touted to be an "all day color that will kick some sass!".  It is described as a "gentle, lightweight formula that feels like it's barely there" and "a non-drying formula that lasts all day". It also states that the "soft tip applicator makes it ridiculously easy to swipe onto lips and the apples of the cheeks, creating a natural, yet unforgettably sexy glow".

The color is Cherry, and the website says it smells like cherries, which I suppose it does, but is not overpowering. As for the actual color, it can be built up to a nice, it looks like a bright cherry in the package and when applied thickly, however when first applied to the lips or cheeks it comes off more of a light berry shade as it has a slight pink/purple undertone. The product comes in what the company calls a "non-drip, spill-proof bottle", and I must say that after tipping the bottle upside down, shaking it all around, dropping it repeatedly and carrying it in my purse for a few days, it  has lived up to its promise thus far.

As I stated previously, this is a stain - and therefore a bit daunting - but I found that the applicator is easy to use, and if you apply it with a light hand it can create a beautiful effect. A little goes a looooong way, and this tint is very good at it's job; I swiped the product on my hand so I could dab my brush in it, and it left a large pink circular mark that did not come off, no matter how much I scrubbed...guess it's time for me to purchase that mixing tray I've been eyeing!

This stain stayed there, even after 12 hours and nearly as many hand-washings!

For cheeks, you should apply using a brush (I suggest a small stipple). I've heard people say that they dot the product directly on the apples of their cheeks and rub it in with their fingertips, but when I tried this I looked like a splotchy-cheeked clown. No, thank you! A stipple brush is the only way this works for me. The good thing is that the product is easily buildable - apply a tiny amount for a gentle flush, or layer it on for full blown rosy cheek, whatever makes you happy!

A tiny amount of product on an E.L.F. small stipple brush is all it takes!

On my eyes: UD Naked 2 Palette, colors Verve, Pistol and Bottycall

            Lips: Milani Enchanted Topaz (LE)

For lips, apply directly with the doe-foot applicator. You can apply one coat for a pretty pink pout, or layer it several times for a deeper cherry red smile. You do have to be careful applying this; if you get it outside of your lip-line it will stain and be there forever  for a very long time, so try to avoid applying this while in a moving vehicle or other such circumstances.

Applied directly to the lips - 2 coats

Please excuse my crazy hairs

Tints & Sass on my lips, 2 coats

After trying out the product several times, I've determined the following:

Pros: Long lasting, great applied under lipstick, stays on cheeks better than powder blush, surprisingly non-drying, lightweight/ no-makeup feel, very pretty color (IMO).

Cons: Not many, with the exception of the fact that it stains places you may not want stained. If you don't like the color once applied, you kind of have to wait until it wears off to get rid of it (unless you have a makeup wipe nearby, and that doesn't always remove the stain 100%); you can apply another color over it to change it if it's really that bad. Also, this is not a product you can apply on the go, without a mirror - it needs a little extra time to get it right, so if you're running late save it for a different day.

In the end, I must confess I've come to  Adore Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass Lip Tint!

Have you tried this or other brands of cheek/lip tint? What tips/tricks do you have to make it more user friendly?

Thanks for visiting...

Live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

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