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: Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara

Hi Lovelies -

The other day I was at my local pharmacy looking for some new products to test out. " I spy with my little eye... a new mascara on the top shelf!". And so it was, and it came home with me so that I could try it out and give you, my lovely readers, my very humble opinion.

I present to you:   Rimmel London Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil

While I can't seem to locate it on the US Rimmel website, Wonder'Lash can be purchased at CVS, in-store or online. It has been out in the UK for awhile (it is known as Wonder'Full across the pond - catchy name!), but is just now beginning to grace our shelves here in the US. On the packaging, it claims to add feather-light volume and definition without clumping, and, because it is formulated with Argan oil, it conditions lashes, leaving them soft and flexible.

The Rimmel London Wonder'Lash has a flexible wand topped with a rubber bristled brush. The formula seems to be of medium thickness, and to me there is  no detectable scent. The packaging is sleek and easy to handle.

I am extremely picky when it comes to mascara. I know what I like, and that's that. I typically dislike rubber or comb-like brushes, and usually opt for the traditional brush. I also do not like flexible wands - sometimes I blink my lashes onto the brush to build up coverage, but a flexible wand makes that hard to do. However, I was rather surprised to find myself liking the brush from the Wonder'Lash mascara! It has both rubber bristles and a flexible wand, however, the bristles still coat my lashes well, and the wand is not so flexible that it bounces around when I bat my lashes onto the wand, flinging globs of mascara everywhere.

Rubber bristles

Flexible wand

Easy to maneuver wand handle

I also am very particular with the consistency of the mascara itself; I cannot stand when a formula is too wet or thin, as it transfers easily and can make a big mess. On the other hand, too dry a formula is hard to apply and layer. Call me Goldilocks - I like my mascara formula to be juuussst right ... the mascara sweet spot, if you will.  I am happy to say that Wonder'Lash fits within my parameters for the correct mascara formulation; it is not so thin and wet on my lashes that I have transfer as soon as I am done applying, yet it is not thick and clumpy either. It is a nice medium consistency that layers well, yet gives you plenty of coverage if all you have time for is one quick coat.

After applying 2 coats of Wonder'Lash

I applied two coats of Wonder'Lash in Extreme Black. I found that it applies evenly, lengthens and thickens. There was minimal smudging and transfer, and throughout the day I did not notice any flaking. Also, just to test out the claims that the mascara is "soft and flexible", I ran a clean finger across my lashes, and they were indeed soft and flexible - no stiffness here! 

Rimmel London Wonder'Lash is on the pricier side for a drugstore mascara ($9.99 at my local CVS), however the display had a $1 off manufacturer's coupon, and I was able to use some CVS coupons and extra bucks, so I was able to snag it for a fair price.

Overall I have to say that I am pleased with the performance of Wonder'Lash; I do not tend to like many drugstore mascaras, and always hold my breath when trying a new one, but I was able to exhale once I tried Wonder'Lash! Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I inform you of my final verdict:

ADORE!

Have you tried Wonder'Lash? What are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite drugstore mascara?

Until next time, live a beautiful life!

~Jessica