Beauty Favorites for November 2012

Well, Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is nearing so that means it’s time for my November Favorites!!! I don’t really have much to say, so let’s just get on with it!

My first new discovery that is a favorite this month is the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. I just reviewed this, so if you’d like to learn more, check out the review here.
Sticking with skincare, I rediscovered my Lush Ocean Salt. I use it to exfoliate my face only once in a while because it is quite strong. If you have sensitive skin, I wouldn’t try this for the face! For me though, the abrasiveness of the fine-grain salt really gets rid of dead skin and leaves my face feeling so soft and smooth. My skin looks much healthier and radiant as well. And it smells delicious!

For my hair, I got a trial size set of Bumble and Bumble’s Color Conscious Shampoo and Conditioner and it works so well on my hair! My only problem is that the company is owned by Estee Lauder which now tests on animals by selling China, but as far as I can determine, Bumble and Bumble is only available in Hong Kong (yes, that’s China, but their laws do not require animal testing – confused yet?). Back to the results, it smells good – I guess I’d say it smells like clean hair – and it is completely sulfate free. It is specially made for color-treated hair, which – shocking, I know – I have, and it just makes my hair look healthy. It does not fall flat or feel greasy. It gives it some volume that looks natural. I really do not have to do much of anything to my hair and it still looks presentable! I love it! If only the animal testing issue were more clear…. :/
For nail polish, I really love “Chancer” from Butter London. It’s so perfect this time of year! It’s an opaque red, but has a bunch of red glitter in it. However, it doesn’t look too glittery, just kind of like sparkling red nails. It’s really pretty and perfect for Christmas!
Something else new to me this month that is definitely a favorite has to be Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème Foundation. I feel like I still need to test it longer, but so far I absolutely love it! I remember reading an email from them stating they, and their suppliers, do not test on animals, nor do they sell in China, but now I cannot find it. I emailed them again, so hopefully the answer remains the same. Back to the foundation – I’m not sure I would say it hides my pores, but it does not accent them at all! As far as not showing pores, and I’m guessing this would go for fine lines and wrinkles as well as dryness, this foundation is amazing! It makes my skin look pretty much flawless without looking like makeup. It glides on like a dream and my skin actually glows in a nice way! It has such a beautiful texture! Really loving it.

To go with my new favorite foundation, I’ve been using Urban Decay’s (which has a new issue – they’ve apparently been acquired by L’Oreal) De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray and it really does work! I mist it over my face before putting on foundation, or even when I’m not wearing makeup, and then again when I’m done with my makeup and it not only sets the makeup, but it really does control oil! I still use powder, but I don’t turn into a shiny grease ball at any point throughout the day and I don’t have to worry much about touch ups! Good stuff!
And I guess to finish off my face, another favorite staple is Too Faced’s Primed & Poreless Loose Powder. It really does disguise pores, but it will accent dryness like virtually any powder.
Another new product (this is apparently the month of trying new things!) that I have been loving is Essence’s Lash Mania mascara. I really like it! It volumizes lashes quite nicely, although if you’re not careful, it can clump lashes together a bit. I kind of like that look so it doesn’t bother me, but if you’re looking for great definition, avoid this! This mascara reminds me a lot of Benefit’s BadGal Lash, which I loved! It’s not quite as dry as the BadGal lash which I know a lot of people didn’t like anyway. It seems pretty water resistant too, though sometimes it does flake a little bit. And for only $4 or $5, it’s incredibly well priced!!!

I guess I will finish this with a lip product. It’s an old favorite, but in a new shade. It’s Bite Beauty’s Lush Lip Tint in “Orchard”. It’s a really beautiful color on the lips. I was a bit unsure looking at the tube, but I actually love it!!!
I think that’s a good listing of my monthly must haves. For all of my complaining about eye creams and skin care samples in BirchBoxes lately, I seem to have included a bunch of my own this month! Hypocritical? Perhaps, but I know what’s safe for my skin! What have you guys been loving? If you have any monthly favorites, feel free to post them or a link to your blog post below because I’d love to know!
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these companies, nor have I been compensated for this post.