My 2013 Beauty Awards

I was not paid for any of these reviews or given any of these products gratis by the companies they represent.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm probably supposed to post something sappy about goals and new beginnings and all of that. But that crap is for my journal. And a facebook post or two. I just want to talk about makeup and girly stuff...

So, I really wanted to highlight some of the beauty (hair and makeup mostly) products I discovered over the last year, repurchased over the last year, fell in love with over the last year and decided wasn't worth my spit in the last year. Obviously, I can't name everything...but tell me your faves and flops in the comments.

Repurchases: 
Okay, so for me to repurchase something (or even hit pan in general before I get bored) is a big deal. Usually, by the time I run out of a product, I'm over it and onto something new. But there are a few things I've repurchased this year. I'll keep it snappy, ya'll.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Awesome setting powder. Also works well over just concealer for some "no makeup makeup". Lasts a long time. Not too expensive. Don't overuse or it looks powdery.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray

I've blogged about this before. I originally got a sample size in my Ipsy and immediately bought a full size when the small one was gone. Gives me body and waves without making my hair frizzy, crunchy or anything else that sucks.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner

I have blogged about these before as well. I love them. All of them. I would repurchase all the colors but the only one I used enough of to repurchase was brown.

Loreal Telescopic Mascara

My go-to mascara. I love it. I've used it since high school and every time I try something else I'm disappointed. Don't get the other types in the telescopic line. Stay with the original or Carbon Black.

Egyptian Magic Cream

I have blogged about this in the past and I'm still loving it. I use this on: my face, my hair, my sunburns, my kids' sunburns, Ellie's eczema, dry hands, etc.

Almay Lipgloss

Doesn't leave that gross film, not super pigmented but great for over lipstick or alone when you don't want to have a lot going on. Not sticky at all.

NYX Butter Gloss

Great color payoff, not super sticky (more sticky than Almay but not in a bad way), no gross film. I especially love the red one in the color Cherry Pie.

ELF Mineral Eye Primer

Nothing else works as well...

Favorites:
As far as favorites go, I've had a few this year that I haven't changed my mind about and I still love. Here ya go:

Living Proof Style Extender

I don't feel like there is a HUGE difference between my hair with our without this until the next day, when it doesn't look like hell. So, there's that.

ELF Studio Brushes

Specifically the flat top powder brush (Think sigma F80) and the kabuki brush

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Okay, this would be on my repurchase list but I haven't ran out yet. I absolutely love this. I am a fan for life. All the things you want in a concealer? Yep. No cakey. No settling. Full coverage. Etc. The price tag blows though. Like $30ish.

Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish

Yeah, if I use a topcoat this lasts without chips for a full week. 'Nuff said.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I literally have used this almost every single day since I purchased it. I use it for a brow filler, also. Matte shades except for "venus" which is a great base and highlighter. The darker colors are great for definition, creases and even a liner.

Flops:
There have been a few things this year that I've purchased either on a whim or by recommendation that frankly suck. And nothing makes me more mad than when I waste my money.

Not Your Mothers Sea Salt Spray

Only use this if you like super tangly hair that is frizzy and doesn't curl or wave at all. Oh, and if you've used this, "crunch" has new meaning to you. Beach Babe? More like Beach, please...

Moroccan Sea Salt Spray

See description for previous spray. Ditto.

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump

People need to freaking stop saying this is good stuff. For short hair? Yeah, it's alright. Long hair? Hello greaseball and crispy roots. Stop saying it's good. Just stop.

Revlon Colorstay Lipliner in Sienna

This sucks.

Tresemme Dry Shampoo

If you like your hair to feel like straw, you should get this.

Here are a few things I'm looking to try this year. Let me know if you've tried any and if I should take the plunge or keep my boots on.

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish

Which shade? Worth the money? Any dupes?

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I know, I know. Everyone already has it. But...should I, too? Or is it too matte? (If that's possible.)

Prada Candy Perfume

How long does the scent last? I'm not paying that much for perfume that lasts for a half an hour.

Well, happy 2014, everyone. Go ahead and insert something heartwarming and thoughtful about new beginnings >here< if it makes you feel better about this post that really doesn't have a lot of depth. But I don't care...

That's why I wrote it.

-L

Dead Ringers

I wasn't sponsored for any of these reviews or suggestions.

Hey, ya'll.
So, this post has been in the works for some time, now. To give you a little background, I'm maybe the cheapest person alive, but I'm also kind of a snob and I want the best of the best.

See my dilemma here?

It's a rough life.

Anyway, in my quest to find the best and avoid spending small fortunes, here are some cheaper (read: drugstore) dead ringers for some of my favorite products.

Let me know what you think, and share the love if you know of some awesome dupes that I didn't include!

1. The Pencil Eyeliner That Won't Rub Off or Transfer to the Top of Your Eyelid

High End: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil
$19 at Sephora

Okay, so I LOVE this eye pencil. But guess what? It's like $20 at Sephora for EYELINER. Are you kidding me? Where's my free sample, thankyouverymuch? This stuff goes NOWHERE until you wash it off, though. Which is so great.

Drugstore: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner

$5 ish

I am in love. I bought these for my sister and some friends, because I loved mine so much. (Wait, did I give you any, sis?? Meh.) These are so great because they stay put, but you can also blend it out and make it smokey-ish if you hurry and do it before it dries. If you wait, it's stayin' though. (Until you wash it off. Duh.)
The white and nude colors are gorgeous in the inner corner, and they stay put in your waterline and don't bug your eyes.

2. Setting Powder That Actually (ahem) SETS

High End: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder
$34 at Sephora

I've talked about this gem before. I love it. I use it right after my primer if I'm using foundation, and I use it after my BB cream dries if I don't want the hassle of primer/foundation. It's super fine, so it doesn't allow you to get cakey and fills in all the little lines.
But it costs a fortune.

Drugstore: elf High Definition Powder in Translucent
$6.00

Just as good, people. It has silicone in it, which is the magic ingredient in our friend, Make Up For Ever. And I didn't break out when I used it. So there ya go.

Also, don't be dumb. It's a setting powder. If you use a ton, you'll look like Casper, savvy?

3. Lipstick That Doesn't Look Like Crap

High End: Mac. Duh.
$15 at Macy's

Everyone knows that the best high end lipstick ever is Mac. I'm in love with Bombshell and Raspberry Swirl, but Raspberry Swirl was unfortunately just a limited edition. (Why do they do that?!?)

Drugstore: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
$4 ish

It's kind of hard to find exact dupes for colors, but I love this lipstick just as much as Mac and it's like 1/4 of the price! Plus, they have a lot of matte colors that I love. Right now, my favorite is Primrose (a cream lipstick) and Sky Pink (matte).

4. A Cream Eyeshadow that Doesn't Crease, YA DIG?!

High End: Mac Paint Pot
$18.50 at Macy's

These are great. They do just what they say they'll do. They don't crease. They're pretty alone, or under powder shadow (primer style).

Drugstore: Maybelline 24 Hour Tattoo
$5 ish

These are just as good, last just as long (in the jar AND on your face, yo!), have just as many of the colors that I like, and you can get four for the price of one paint pot. Um...do I need to talk about this anymore? Mmk.

5. Highlighter So That I Can Fake it That My Face Looks Dewey Like a Sun Goddess

High End: Benefit High Beam
$26 at Sephora

This is so pretty. But the weird brush thing kinda throws me off. I just like my little sample. Mostly b'cause it was free. Holla.

Drugstore: elf Shimmering Facial Whip
$1. Yes, I'll repeat that. $1.

I love this, and I love all the colors. It's pretty as a highlighter on your brow bone, too. Works great with a stipple brush, and I like blending it with liquid blush. And it's a dollar. Oh, and it's a dollar.
But the name weirds me out. Facial whip?? eew.

6. Things To Make My Hair Look Like....Really Great

High End: Things That Smell Great, Work Great and Cost My First Born
(Redken, Aveda, Matrix/Biologe, Bumble and Bumble, etc.)

Drugstore: Suave Professionals

THIS ENTIRE LINE IS AMAZING.
And they're all like $3

7. Concealer For Ma' Mug

High End: Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer
$25 at Sephora

Drugstore: Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer
$5 ish

This one comes with a weird concealer pencil thing that didn't match so well...and I chucked it. Adios.

8. Brushes

High End: Sigma F35
$18 at sigmabeauty.com

Drugstore: elf Tapered Brush
$3 at eyeslipsface.com

These are both great, and the sigma is actually a little bit better. But not for double (plus) the price. Just not gonna happen.

So there ya have it! I know that there are so many more, so I'd love to hear what your favorite dupes are! Also, what do you think is WORTH the splurge??

-L

P.S. Get excited boys and girls (mostly girls....), because I just got word that my Birchbox and Ipsy Bag have shipped. Get ready for a review, yo.