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Winter Lip Balm Favorites

best lip balms

 

Hi there! We have another Winter favorite lip product roundup today. This time, it’s all about my favorite lip balms in this cold harrowing Winter season. Yes, it’s been really cold outside but thank goodness I haven’t had any chapped or cracked lips so far, and I guess it’s because of the lip balms I’ve been using. In fact, I’ve upped my usage of lip balms lately and that has really allowed me to rock my favorite matte lipsticks without some sort of dryness issues at all.

 

favorite lips balms

 

I’m quite picky with my lip balms quite honestly. I don’t like the ones that have a heavy feel on the lips. I like my lip balms to be lightweight, super moisturizing, not extremely oily and shiny, and if they have any flavor/scent, then I’d prefer them to be not as obtrusive to my senses. For these reasons, I tend to stick only to a few lip balms that I’ve tested over time. I mostly use a combination of untinted and tinted lip balms. The untinted ones are my faves at night and they keep my lips hydrated throughout my sleep. The tinted ones are the type that I use mostly everyday or whenever my lips feel dry. I sometimes layer them with my favorite lipstick, but mostly, I use them whenever I feel like not wearing any lipstick at all. They’re my go-tos for a lazy day “no makeup” makeup look.

 

Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm

 

Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm (0.13 oz: $18) – This is probably the best and one of my most favorite lip balms of all time. This has the perfect formula for being lightweight, untinted, made-of-clean-ingredients, and a super hydrating balm that lasts for several hours. It really protects the lips from drying in this cold Winter season. However, this does have a flaw. While this lip balm may look big due to the fact that it does have a larger tube diameter than most lip balms out there (see more photos HERE), you’ll actually find that there’s really not a lot of product inside its packaging. So this doesn’t really last that long, and for the price, I feel like this is quite a lot for a lip balm.ย 

 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm (0.15 oz: $18) – This untinted super thick lip balm has a sleek comfy velvety matte packaging that looks very unique and different. It is so moisturizing, but it needs to warm up on the lips first prior to the application. Once it does, it tends to melt easily then, so just take heed. This does a good job of preventing and/or healing dry cracked lips. I love that this has no strong scent as well.

 

Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm (0.12 oz: $10) – Never underestimate the power of this tiny lip balm because this packs a punch. It’s made of clean ingredients and it has Echinacea GreenEnvy honey, beeswax, and Cupuaรงu butter that hydrates the lips like no other. This is a very good high-quality untinted lip balm that delivers hydrated moisturized supple lips without making it feel heavy, and I do feel that this is the best alternative to the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm above. In fact, they both have the same simple clean organic scent, and they also both apply and feel the same on the lips. However, this Farmacy one has more products in its tube and it comes with a much cheaper price than the DE Lippe Balm. I love this a lot.

 

DIOR

 

Dior Lip Glow in 008 Ultra-Pink

 

There are two tinted lip balms I’ve been using a lot lately, and they’re the Dior Lip Glows. I mean, who doesn’t love Dior Lip Glows, right? They’re great everyday sheer hydrating balms that not only protect my lips this Winter, they also give off a nice stain/tint on the lips that last for hours. You just swipe them on the lips and you’re good to go.ย 

 

Dior Lip Glow in 008 Ultra-Pink ($34) – sheer bright pink. Every time I see the color of this lip balm, it just makes me happy. It’s got the prettiest perfect popsicle pink tint to it and it brightens the face to a youthful look.

 

Dior Lip Glow in 006 Berry ($34) – sheer berry. Currently on the list of my favorite lip products this Winter and there’s a reason why (read HERE). This is a beautiful berry-tinted lip balm hands down.

 

More Dior Lip Glow shades swatched HERE.

 

GLOSSIER

 

Glossier Balm Dotcom in Birthday

 

The Glossier Balm Dotcom is an all-purpose skin and lip balm. Right now, I really like using it as my lip balm at night and it’s so good. It’s not only hydrating to the lips, but it’s also very exfoliating. I’m currently using these two.

 

Glossier Balm Dotcom in Birthday (0.5 oz: $12) – untinted subtle shimmer. This balm tastes like a real vanilla birthday cake with bits of sugar in it that makes you wanna eat it somehow. It’s very exfoliating in the morning when applied at night on the lips. Try it.

 

Glossier Balm Dotcom in Mint (0.5 oz: $12) – untinted cooling feel. This is absolutely the best soothing lip balm I’ve ever tried. Its mint scent and flavor is never boring and it’s super tingly and plumping on the lips. I highly recommend this.

 

More Glossier products reviewed HERE.

 

Milk Makeup Kush Lip Balm review

 

Milk Makeup Kush Lip Balm (0.10 oz: $16) – described as a clear finish balm, yet in reality, this actually has a slight green tinge that is not really that visible once applied on the lips, so no worries. This balm has a minty scent and taste and it’s very moisturizing, lightweight and fresh. I haven’t tried the Kush Lip Glaze yet that was also released together with this particular product but I heard that it’s also good, so I will investigate that pretty soon. I like this lip balm a lot, and nope, this won’t make you feel high. The Hemp-Derived Cannabis Sativa in it is only for hydration purposes. Overall, I love the robust packaging of this balm and it looks really unique.

 

Dior Lip Glow in 008 Ultra-Pink swatch

 

 

And there goes my favorite lip balms this Winter. What’s yours? Happy Almost Weekend!

 

*2018-2019 I Am Very Busy Planner is from Ban.do, available HERE

*Peonies Book by Jane Eastoe is available HERE

*Veranda Decorating Book is also available HERE

*Rose Book seen with the Glossier Balm Dotcom photo is still available HERE

 

Current Beauty Favorites

favorite makeup products for fall winter season

 

Hello guys! I am back from a holiday break. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and let’s look forward to more holidays and festivities this season. Speaking of gatherings and feasts, I have compiled a few beauty items I’ve been loving lately. These are the ones I’ve been using pretty much a lot since the beginning of Fall and I will probably be reaching out for these even more throughout the Winter season.

 

Apart from loving my all-black ensemble this cold and gloomy weather, I have this thing of liking beauty products that emphasize a luminous flawless skin with a wide-eyed look and a gorgeous pout. In other words, it’s all about the “glow” for me this season. So, without further ado, here are the beauty items I’m loving lately.

 

foundation for glowy skin

 

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in Honey (1 oz: $48) – This is my favorite go-to dewy foundation of all time, and I know I can rely on this if I want to pull-off that youthful lit-from-within lewk. I just love how flawless and seamless my skin looks with this and my pores look invisible, smooth and gloriously glowy.

 

 

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil (3.4 oz: $100) – My favorite shimmery body oil with a nice luxurious scent. I’m down to my second bottle of this since last summer and I still enjoy the beautiful shimmers that this gives to my skin. It’s pricey but it’s so worth it, and I’m still dying to try that Rose Gold version. See my other favorite body oils HERE.

 

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in Honey

 

Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment in Softlight (0.4 oz: $48) – Still one of my favorite products for my undereyes. It’s like a skincare treatment/moisturizer that brightens and hydrates my thin undereye area and this also works as a creamy concealer and it doesn’t fade. More Tatcha faves reviewed HERE.

 

 

Glossier Haloscope in Quartz (0.19 oz: $22) – This gives a subtle lit-from-within glow and it goes on creamy and you can use your finger to dab and apply this on the high points of the face.

 

Glossier Haloscope in Quartz swatch review

 

Glossier Boy Brow in Brown (0.11 oz: $16) – Perfect when you’re in a hurry and don’t have the time to perfectly shape your brows. I love how this gives me that lived-in full natural brow look and the brush applicator is precise enough even if you don’t have a lot of brows to fill with. You can buy the Glossier Haloscope above and this Boy Brow together at glossier.com and save $8.

 

Glossier Boy Brow in Brown review swatch

 

Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Vivid Smoky Quartz (0.153 oz: $24) – This goes on fluid and easy to blend without needing to apply much and this sets well. I love this for a quick eyeshadow application and you can blend this using your finger. The Vivid Smoky Quartz shade is a perfect base eyeshadow that isn’t too glittery. Also, you can add some shimmers on top of it for a glam look, then you’re good to go.

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black (0.30 oz: $25) – This isn’t much volumizing but this mascara lifts and curls so well that it helps to give me that wide-eyed fully awake, alert and oriented X3 look, lol. The brush applicator is curved and it helps to reach out every single eyelash strand that needs lifting and curling. More on my favorite mascaras of all time HERE.

 

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara in Black review

 

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan 104 Tan-Tastic (0.08 oz: $49) – This my go-to bronzer of the moment and this goes on matte. I love the amazing coconut scent of this and it’s pretty much easy to blend and easy to layer. Also, this stays on my skin keeping it looking contoured and defined for hours.

 

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan 104 Tan-Tastic

 

 

Benefit Dandelion Box oโ€™ Powder Blush (0.25 oz: $30, mini $16) – I like how subtle this blush is and it sort of complements the kind of flush you tend to get this cold season. This is definitely one of the most natural-looking blushes I’ve ever tried and a great staple for that everyday makeup look.

 

Benefit Dandelion Box oโ€™ Powder Blush

 

 

Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Fusion Powder in #4 (0.12 oz: $58) – I am crazy in love with this glowy finishing powder and this definitely is now part of my holy grail beauties. This has very fine micro shimmers that set the foundation and adds an extra glow, thus making the face appear luminous, healthy, youthful and not flat. It even works perfectly in combination with matte foundations so it won’t look too harsh or too dry.

 

Benefit Dandelion Box oโ€™ Powder Blush swatch

 

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Macro-Color Eyeshadow in #2 (0.06 oz: $32) – This is a waterproof eyeshadow that doesn’t smudge or budge even if you cry a river, lol, and it’s pretty much reliable in any occasion. I picked the shade #2 which is a dark navy color and it has a matte finish that is not only perfect to contour the lids, it’s also great for the waterline.

 

Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum

 

Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz: $165, 3.4 oz: $$250) – This has such a unique and complex scent that is as mysterious and intriguing as its name. There’s nothing quite like this fragrance and people often ask me what this is. It’s hard to describe this with its blend of sandalwood, musk, amber, naseberry and something else. It’s a complicated, mysterious, elegant and super long-lasting scent that is totally distinct.

 

Viktor&Rolf Magic Liquid Diamonds Eau de Parfum (travel size 0.30: $30, 2.5 oz: $190) – Still loving this scent and I still couldn’t get enough of this. I just love how femininely elegant and beautiful this scent is and it totally can lift any woman’s mood and spirit. This is the complete definition of feminine, luxury, clean, and elegance combined in one magical beautiful bottle. Reviewed further HERE.

 

 

Have you tried any of these favorites already? What the beauty products you’ve been loving lately?

 

 

 

Favorite Travel Packing Pouches and Cases

Hey! I just got back from a quick NYC trip and thought that I’d like to share with you some of my favorite packing cases and pouches that I usually use whenever I travel within the country or even outside. I’ve taken these pouches with me wherever I go and though I don’t take them all at the same time, I’ve pretty much used them in rotation several times. All throughout my travels, I’ve used countless of pouches and cases to stuff my necessities and it has taken me a long time to actually figure out what really works for me and what could actually be the right fit for my carry-on or my luggage without wasting so much space. Finding the right packing pouches and cases for toiletries, makeup, and some other essentials can be such a challenge, and a daunting one, and for a long time I always resorted to Ziplocs to contain my stuff, which is still a good idea and I also recommend, however, there came a point where I wanted some protection for my things, especially the packaging of my beauty and skin products that could shatter. I also wanted something to organize my stuff, and not just shove them in a bag mixed and matched with some other items I own. Though not all of my favorite packing cases and pouches are reviewed here, don’t worry because there will be a second part of this review pretty soon and you will see the travel bags and pouches I especially use when I travel internationally. For now, since I travel within the country mostly, let’s start with my current faves.

 

truffle travel review

 

Truffle is one of my most favorite and preferred brands when it comes to travel cases and clutches. Their stuff is well-curated to suit every person’s travel needs – from card cases to TSA-approved clear clutches and jewelry cases, you will always find something interesting and useful at Truffle. But that’s not the only thing I love about them, I find their designs to be very well-made and very versatile. Their leather trims are sleek and minimalist, while their zippers don’t feel weak, and their clear pouches and cases feel thick and resistant to puncture and breakage. I’ve been using their stuff for a couple of years now and they still hold so well. Most of their stuff may be pricey, but they’re totally worth it.

Truffle Clarity Jetset CaseClarity Jetset Case in Dusty Blush ($85) – This case is trimmed with Saffiano leather and it feels robust. Its clear panels feel very durable and its size is TSA-approved for carry-ons. The dimension is about 2 inches in height, 7.5 inches length, and 5.25 inches in width. This pouch can fit a few eyeshadows and face palettes, some eye brushes, one or two face brushes, a couple of eyeliners and some lipsticks. It’s spacious enough to contain your favorite beauty products for a short few daysย trip. As a beauty junkie, I fit all of my favorite eye makeup products inside this sleek pouch, and yet there’s still some room for more.

 

Truffle Clarity Clutch Mini

 

Clarity Clutch Mini in Dusty Blush ($38) – This cute and well-made mini clear clutch is such a delight every time I see it. In fact, I’ve been using this a lot and almost non-stop, whether I’m traveling or just running errands around town. I just put in the beauty and skincare products that I reach out a lot and then toss this clutch inside my tote and I’m good to go. This is so handy and is also TSA-approved. The size is 8 inches in length and 5 inches in height. It’s also Saffiano-leather trimmed and is pretty much perfect to carry anywhere.

 

Truffle Privacy Jewelry Case Mini

 

Privacy Jewelry Case Mini in Black ($75) – One of the latest additions by Truffle and I fell in love with this case the first time I saw it. It’s made of Saffiano leather on the outside and it has a felt velvety interior lining. It also has a leather slip pocket with a removable drawstring pouch. The height is about 3 inches, with a length of 5.5 inches, and 3.5 inches in width. I’ve always wanted something like this to store and protect the jewelries I take with me when I travel, and also the ones I might buy during my trips. To me, this case is so useful and so versatile. Sometimes, if it occupies too much space in my carry-on or in my bag, I just take the removable pouch with me and put it inside my tote or purse.

 

Truffle Clarity Pouch Small review

 

Clarity Pouch Small ($40) – This pouch is so easy to use and it can hold more than it actually looks. It has a 2-inch wide expandable bottom and it can sit upright. Its overall size is 9 inches in length, 7 inches in height and 2 inches in width. It’s TSA-friendly for carry-ons and can fit a travel-size lotion, mini shampoo, and conditioner or travel bottles, and a mini hair styling product.

Glossier Pink Bubble Pouches review

Glossier Pink Bubble Pouches (free when you buy Glossier products) – If you’re tired of packing your essentials in the usual Ziploc which really doesn’t protect anything that may shatter, then I really suggest that you collect a few of these. For me, these are still my favorite easy to use travel pouches that can actually protect your skincare or makeup favorites that are contained in heavy glass packaging since these have bubble cushions inside. Also, these look really cute and sleek, plus you can get them for free when you buy some Glossier items. You’ll usually get a large pouch free if you purchase their lotions and body products or any large items, and since it’s large, I could fit my electric toothbrush in it plus its charger. The size is 10.25 inches length and 9 inches in height, plus it can fit a lot of stuff. The smaller size which you’ll get if you buy their lipsticks and glosses or some other small products is about 8.5 inches in length and 7 inches in height. It can fit some beauty and skincare essentials but try not to overfill it since the plastic zip can be weak.

 

Tory Burch Robinson Small Makeup Bags

 

Tory Burch Robinson Small Makeup Bags in Pink and Black ($98) – These are the slightly older style of Tory Burch’s Robinson makeup pouches. They’re pretty much sold out nowadays, but there is a very similar and updated style available at toryburch.com, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop at the same price. These pouches have a flat bottom and their size is about 5 inches in length, 4 inches in height, and 3 inches in width. I love the look of these, they’re really cute and since they’re quite small, they can fit anywhere and everywhere, which makes them so convenient to carry. However, as cute as they are, they can only carry a limited number of items, and they have to be very small or else the pouch won’t close. So, most of the time, I only put a mini Tom Ford lipstick, a small face mist like Omorovicza’s Queen of Hungary, sometimes a mini eyeliner, or a Dior Lip Glow, and I could barely fit my Dior Dreamskin Cushion in it.

 

Anya Hindmarch In-flight Case in BlushAnya Hindmarch In-flight Case reviewAnya Hindmarch In-flight CaseAnya Hindmarch In-flight Case in blush

 

Anya Hindmarch In-flight Case in Blush ($275-$285) – Another favorite makeup case of mine is this by Anya Hindmarch. I’ve always wanted this for a long time but it’s so pricey. When I finally did pull the trigger on this, I was glad that I did because this pretty much organizes and stores my favorite makeup products for traveling, and it can fit a lot. It’s leather trimmed with two sides/zipped compartments, one is labeled for “take off” and the other is labeled “touch down”, basically for that quick touch-ups when you land. The only thing that sorta surprised when I got this case was that I found the clear panels to be quite thin, much thinner than Truffle’s and I’m not sure about TDE’s version (that I have to try), but so far, this has held up so well, so no worries. The touch down compartment has an elastic holder to hold a few small bottles or any items in place. But I never stored any bottles on this side, I just put some facial masks in it like the ones you see in the photo (these masks are so cheap and so fun to use-available at Amazon) and other skincare and makeup samples I may wanna try during my trip. The take off compartment can fit a lot like you could potentially fit two to three face and eyeshadow palettes, two compacts, some face brushes, a couple of lipsticks, mascaras, eyeliners, travel perfumes, concealers, foundations, setting sprays, etc. I’ve taken this makeup case everywhere and have gone through TSA security without any problem. The overall size of this case is 4.7 inches in width, 9 inches in length, and 3.5 inches in height. I got mine at Neiman Marcus but it’s currently sold out everywhere, though you may still find this at Net-A-Porter, Nordstrom, and of course at anyahindmarch.com.

sephora travel bags pouches

Sephora Collection The Gallivanter Clear To Go Bags – These were the cheap clear travel set pouches (3 bags) from Sephora that is already sold out nowadays, but a similar version is HERE. I like these pouches a lot because they’re very roomy and of course, they’re clear. They may not protect the delicate stuff but here I can put my toiletries, extra makeup, and skincare, plus some vitamins and supplements. The largest bag size which is labeled for toiletries can fit a lot, it’s about 10 inches in length and 8 inches in height. The medium size labeled for makeups is 9 inches in length and 6.25 inches height. The smallest named touch ups is 8 inches length and 5 inches in height. These clear bags are so easy to open, has robust zippers, and can fit lots of stuff, so far they held well with my travels even though my kitties attempted to bite their corners. LOL.

 

 

Have you traveled lately? Which pouches and cases have you used?