My Favorite Things: March 2015

Hello, friends! And Happy Easter! March has come to end, so you know what that means--a monthly favorites post! Honestly, I love reading these kinds of posts. I get so many new products to add to my To-Try List (as if it's not long enough)! But enough rambling--let's get to the good stuff~

CAUDALIE Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet ($39 for 1oz)

CAUDALIE Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

I'm so excited about this moisturizer! As someone with combination skin, I know the struggles of trying to find a product that works for however many skin types you're trying to treat on one face. But this one does it all! It's a light, mousse-like consistency that delivers enough moisture to my dry cheeks without making my forehead look or feel greasy. I'm so happy I've started using this, because I think you guys with combination skin will really enjoy this. The only cons are that it's $39 for one ounce and I'm using it up way too fast. If I didn't have Birchbox points saved up, I don't think I'd be able to afford this, to be honest.


SERIOUS SKINCARE Dry Lo Spot Treatment ($24.50 for 1oz)

SERIOUS SKINCARE Dry-Lo Spot Treatment

It's been awhile since I talked about Serious Skincare on this blog, which is a real shame! This is a sulfur acne-treatment product, so it works a little differently than salicylic acne spot treatments. It looks similar to the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, though I can't say I've tried that. For some reason when I went home for spring break, I had a couple of acne breakouts, which is weird since my skin is usually quite tame. I even had a cystic pimple on my chin, double weird since I never get cystic acne (and I still have the hyperpigmentation mark to prove it). This, however, helped the pimples disappear in a matter of days. I wouldn't use this regularly, since the 10% sulfur is quite powerful and might dry you out, but a few days as temporary treatment should be ok. A bottle also lasts forever, so I think it's worth it. If you've used the Mario Badescu one, let me know how it is! 

NIVEA Lip Butter in Smooth Kiss ($3)

NIVEA Lip Butter in Smooth Kiss

I mentioned this in my Lip Balm Bonanza, Part 2, and then apparently tucked it away because I totally forgot about it! This has been my go-to daytime lip balm all month. I keep it on my desk and put it on before applying my makeup, or just slather it on before I walk out the door. This is a petroleum-based lip balm, so those of you who are afraid to use petroleum on your lips might want to skip that (though I don't see the big deal, but to each her own). I find it to be hydrating and good for every day, though if your lips are chapped, as always, I recommend Aquaphor Lip Repair.

NYX Color Lip Balm in Thank You (Discontinued in stores--$7 on Amazon)

NYX Color Lip Balm in Thank You

This was mentioned in my August 2014 Favorites, and now it's back! I knew it would be! I've mostly been using this in my no-makeup-makeup looks (or simply on my plain no-makeup days). Lately I've just been tapping it onto my lips to just give a soft wash of color. It just makes it look like my lips are naturally more pigmented, rather than like I'm wearing bright tinted lip balm. It's comfortable to wear and it's pretty, but not too bold. They've discontinued these with the release of the Butter Lip Balms, but you can still get it on Amazon, or just try the other ones that NYX offers!

NYX Color Lip Balm in Thank You (swatched)

TWEEZERMAN ProCurl Eyelash Curler ($22)

TWEEZERMAN ProCurl Eyelash Curler

I've upgraded to a big girl, fancy lash curler, and I'm very excited about it. This one just makes me feel like a lady. It also has a narrower curve to it, so it fits my eye shape a lot better than my Revlon one. My favorite thing about eyelash curlers is that they don't expire, so I don't mind splurging a little. My lashes are long, but grow out straight, and I think this really does make a difference. Plus, it's just so pretty, and who doesn't love pretty things?

BENEFIT COSMETICS Fine One One ($30)

BENEFIT COSMETICS Fine One One

This was included in my Spring Product Picks, and now that's it just (finally) starting to feel like spring again, I felt inspired to bring it out. This is a cream blush stick with three different shades, so it's a great swipe-and-go product. I can apply this in the morning when I'm half asleep, blend out the edges so it doesn't look like I'm wearing a block of color, and stumble out the door to my class. The top shade (the right color in the swatch below) makes a great highlight while the bottom two colors (the pink and the peach) look beautiful and natural when blended together. And, as someone with cheeks that could use a glow, this has a nice, dewy finish. The only downside is that the staying power isn't the best, but it's not bad (I might reapply it once in the late afternoon/early evening). If you want, you can set it with a powder blush, and then it lasts all day.

BENEFIT COSMETICS Fine One One (swatched)

LAURA GELLER Blush 'n Brighten in Pink Grapefruit ($27.50 for .176oz)

Laura Geller Baked Blush 'n Brighten in Pink Grapefruit

I got this in last month's Birchbox, so it just barely sneaked into my monthly favorites! It's a beautiful, peachy-colored blush that looks really natural on me (I'm pretty fair with warm undertones). I think if you have a tan or you have a medium skin tone, this will look beautiful on you. Anything darker than medium might want to opt for a different shade. I swatched it in Birchbox post if you're interested!

BARE MINERALS SPF 20 Concealer in Bisque ($19 for .07oz)

BARE MINERALS SPF 20 Concealer in Bisque

I mentioned bareMinerals multiple times in my Spring Cleaning post. This is newer than the other face products mentioned there, so it got to stick around. The shade Bisque matches my skin almost perfectly, so this is what I've been using to cover up any blemishes, and sometimes set under-eye concealer if I'm in the mood. After bringing the majority of my makeup home for spring break to store there, I realized that I don't have any foundation products at school that match my current pale complexion (*gasp*). Instead, I opted to go foundation-free last month, and due to the fact I was struggling with acne earlier in the month, a good concealer was essential! I have to say, not applying liquid foundation and not having to powder any liquid/cream concealers has been a time saver, not gonna lie.

E.L.F. Essential Lash & Brow Clear Mascara ($2)

E.L.F. Essential Lash & Brow Clear Mascara

This was a 2014 Favorite and it's still kicking. I'm just about out of my current tube (this is not a recent photo) so I picked up two more when I was at Target this weekend.  I very rarely buy backups of anything, so you know it has to be good if I'm buying two more for the stash. Plus, I don't have a Target nearby, and I hate paying for shipping, so I figured it would be cheaper in the long run to stock up when I could. And I know I'll actually use them! It's so easy and quick that I can't not tame my brows in the morning. On days when I have more time, I'll use Anastasia's Brow Fix and Brow Powder, but when I'm rushing to go to class, this is all I need. (Side note, didn't these used to be a dollar? Because I could have sworn everything in the ELF Essentials line was $1, but I paid $2 each for these. Hmm...)

JANE COSMETICS Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink ($7)

JANE COSMETICS Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink

I got this in an Ipsy bag forever ago, and I don't know what inspired me to pull it out, but I really enjoyed it in the month of March. It's bright enough to wake up my face, but not so bold so that it makes me feel overdressed. It makes me look like I tried to make myself presentable, and it's just a pretty, happy color for spring. It's a little sticky, for those of you who are against that, but I've never minded it much (except for particularly windy days). It's not too expensive, either, and you get a lot in a tube. Bright colors make me so happy!

JANE COSMETICS Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink (swatched)

What's the best thing you tried in March?

Want to see more of my favorite products? Click here! 

Let's be friends! ~ Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin' 

Disclaimer: Not sponsored. I'm trying to whole "providing links" thing again. The Amazon links are affiliate links, but we'll see how long that lasts.