February Favorites and Fails

Hey Friends! I can’t believe I’m already back with a monthly round-up of monthly favorites. In today’s post, I’m sharing my favorites, my fails, and products I’ve used up in the month of February. Read my January Favorites + Fails here if you want to see what I loved last month.  These Favorites and Fails will go under my “life” category if you ever want to find them in the future!

 

February Favorites

Beauty Favorites

 

BareMinerals Original Foundation

 

This month I’ve switched from liquid foundation back to an old classic. Ever since getting back from my honeymoon my skin has not been it’s best, but at least it behaved leading up to the wedding! I wanted to try switching foundations to something lighter on the skin, and I remember their tagline saying “so good you can sleep in it”. I had an old container in the light shade, but it was too yellow for me. I also didn’t care for the original brush I still had in the back on my makeup storage because it felt scratchy compared to my other brushes. I found this kit on the Sephora website and thought it was the perfect solution. Both the makeup and brush have made it to my favorites list! The brush is so soft and I love to buff in the product, plus its rose gold.

Salley Hanses Miracle Gel in shade Little Peony

 

This color was love at first site in the Target aisle. Light/ white pink polishes are my go-to almost year round, and this is my favorite formula for home manicures. Essie Fiji has never worked for me because it always streaks, but this formula is so thick and easy to apply! The top coat is also my favorite, but it will give you bubbles in your polish if you use too much of it. It also dries really fast!

BareMinerals Matte Lipstick in Slay

 

This is the newest product to make my favorites but I did want to mention it for the girls who haven’t fallen in love with liquid lipsticks (like me!). I always found liquid lipsticks to be way too drying and intense for every day. I’m a chapstick / lipgloss girl at heart. But when I tried this it actually feels way lighter on the lips and I love the color (Slay). I recommend swatching them next time you’re at the beauty counter!

Loreal Lash Primer + Dior Overcurl Mascara

 

This was a favorite last month, so I’ll probably stop mentioning it in upcoming favorites. Unless you see a new combo, assume this is still a favorite! I’ve been using this combo since last spring. I’ve never been one to splurge on mascaras, but after trying the Dior Overcurl mascara my mom and I have been hooked ever since! The primer is also better than three other’s I’ve tried in Sephora.

O.R.G Skincare Mineral Peel Face

 

I received this product in my Editors Box from Fab Fit Fun (I purchased the box out of my own curiosity). This was my favorite product included in the box. You spray it on and let it sit for 5 seconds, then as you rub your skin you will start to feel your skin ball up! Sounds gross, but I love it in the morning before applying makeup. I also like to use it on my dry lips.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

 

This little sample was included in an Ulta order and I’ve been loving it to treat my dry lips! I have a few others that just feel like vaseline,  but this product really feels like it does something to my lips when I apply it. It has more of a wavy texture.

 

Lifestyle Favorites

 

Endless Rose Top

 

I’m slightly embarrassed by how much you’re going to see this top here in the next few weeks. I pre-shot a lot of photos for future posts (not fashion related) and never switched tops! But, I’m ok with it because I just love the top. It’s probably my favorite purchase for the upcoming season, I’m tempted to buy it in white as well. I recommend sizing up if you have broader shoulders like I do, I purchased a small and a medium and returned the small.

See this top styled here

Kate Spade Rose Gold Case

 

Tim spoiled me with a new MacBook on my birthday and I’ve been on the lookout for a case that wasn’t boring and/or masculine. My patience paid off because I found this metallic rose gold case this month. It’s actually designed for a Microsoft pro, but my computer has plenty of room inside. This hard case is also tempting me, but I’ll probably just go with this case alone for now.

Nike Juvenate

 

For Valentines Day Tim gifted me these new Nike’s and they’re way more comfortable that I was expecting. They’re very flexible and they barely feel like anything on top of your feet. I’ve been totally accepting the athleisure trend and wearing them with jeans (and even to work 😉 as much as I can. I always have to size up a half size in Nikes, and these were no exception. I’ve sent the link to four people at work, so they’re definitely a hit!

Sugarfina Candy

 

On my birthday I decided to treat myself to this Cheer’s box and ever since these boxes have been my guilty pleasure. I recently bought 3 valentines boxes while they were offering buy 2 get 1 free and have been snacking on them all weekend! My favorites are the champagne and bubbly bears, I even had them at my wedding while we were getting ready.

Sugar Paper Pocket Planner

 

I could include everything from Sugar Paper + Target on my favorites, they just speak to my little organization heart. When I found this little planner in store, I somehow justified a second planner for 2017 because my other planner was too big to carry with me everywhere. I still take it to work, but this one is always with me to jot down appointments and reminders.  Some other things I love from their line: this scalloped business card holder and this file organizer. 

 

February Fails / What I returned

Tarte Shape Tape

 

I’m bummed this didn’t work out for me because I haven’t stopped hearing about it! The coverage was ideal, but the fragrance is what made this a fail for me. I even got a random clogged pore under my eye and I blame the chemicals in the product. I should have referenced my girl Paula before purchasing to save me the trouble.

Lush Surplice Tee

 

Other than the color I really have no positive things to say about this tee. It felt scratchy and was thin, the cut was way too low in the bust and too cropped at the waist, and the wrap didn’t lay like it does in the model photo. I definitely returned.

 

Products I used up in February / What I repurchased

 

Tula Day and Night Moisturizer

 

This moisturizer lasted longer than I expected, and I did repurchase it while they had a promotion for a free cleanser with purchase. It’s light on the skin and has kept my skin balanced through the winter months. You can read about my skincare routine here. My only complaint about this line is that it has a slight “grandma” scent, but I’ll take that over a synthetic fragrance any day!

Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo

 

I’ve repurchase my 5th bottle of this stuff and I’m not even done with my 4th! Tim always picks them up for me at this work because it gets a slight employee discount on it. It’s definitely the best I have tried, and I’ve tried a lot! If you want me to do a review on the dry shampoo products I’ve tried, just let me know.

Donna Karen Deodorant

 

This lasted much longer than my regular drugstore deodorant, which is good since it was like triple the price 😉 I repurchased it during the fall Sephora VIB sale only because Tim would actually compliment on how I smell when wearing it. Now that he know’s it’s from a department store, he no longer likes to encourage that behavior 😉

 Loreal Voluminous Primer

 

This primer beats three other’s I have tried from Sephora. I only use it on the weekends, because ain’t no body got time for mascara primer before work. Already repurchased!

Olly Vitamins

 

These were really easy to remember to take every morning because they were like candy, which is good if you really struggle with vitamins. I didn’t repurchase however because I didn’t like the first two ingredients – high fructose corn syrup and sugar.

It Cosmetics CC cream

 

This is the second tube of this I’ve gone through. I didn’t repurchase for reasons I will share in my upcoming review!

Mac Brush Cleanser

 

This is such an old product in my beauty cabinet, which shows how often I clean my makeup brushes.. ouch! But really, I use something else to deep clean my brushes. This cleanser is good for quick clean ups if you’re using the same brush to blend eyeshadow colors or blush. I don’t love the strong alcohol smell, so I don’t plan on repurchasing. I will Back to Mac it, though!

 

What I’m looking forward to in March?

• Celebrating Maw Maw’s (my grandmothers) 90th birthday
• St. Patricks Day in Savannah with my girlfriends
• Friends wedding
• Spring weather and fashion

 

 

Have any favorites I should know about? Leave them in the comments below! I would also love to hear about something you’re excited for in March.

 

xo Amanda John