happy thursday, all!

since i started fresh for the new year, i thought i’d add in a new segment: monthly favorites! each month i will pick a handfull of beauty or styling or clothing items and post a bit about them. i hope you enjoy!

so for january, my only problem in setting aside favorites is that i have too many! so i just narrowed it down to some essentials that i love.

1| kenra platinum dry texture spray. one word for this product: amazing. this isn’t an everyday product for me simply because i don’t wash my hair every day. before you say ‘ew’ just know that it is actually BETTER for your hair! okay, so back to this spray. when my hair is freshly washed and dried, it has no grit to it…it’s very slick. with this spray, it gives my hair some texture. i especially love to use this if i am styling my hair into a braid or an updo. i will also spray a little in my hair if i’ve just curled it to give it some life. i will say, if you have a heavy spraying finger, BE CAREFUL. spray a little at a time and work the product into your hair. one can should last you for a while.

2| anastasia brow powder duo. i wasn’t sure how i’d feel about this brow powder when i first purchased. i had a painful breakup with bare minerals loose brow powder – as in they discontinued it. broke my heart. so i needed something that was equally as great – picked this product up at sephora – and gave ‘er a try. i. love. it. i like that the powder is pressed versus loose. i can control the amount of product on my brush with ease. the double color in the palette allows me to really customize the combo for exactly my color. also – with one compact that is pretty small – i was nervous that it wouldn’t last long. i have had this one for a year. money well spent! *just so you know, bare minerals did bring their brow powder back! little stinkers.*

3| smashbox always sharp waterproof kohl liner. (this stick is in the shade sumatra) i am a bit of an eyeliner snob. i am very skeptical when i buy – smudging, smearing, wearing off – these are all factors that are hard to defeat in a liner. i was given the smashbox always sharp liners as a gift. when i first put one on i thought to myself ‘no way, it’s too soft and going on too smoothly. there’s no way this will stay put’. i was so wrong! this stuff wears so well! it does not move whatsoever. i can literally wear this all night and it doesn’t move! i have six different shades and they are all beautiful, especially the grey. (color is storm) the best part is they way they wash off – just your facial cleanser and water! no scrubbing your eyes out. LOVE these.

4| sonia kashuk brush no. 113. actually, i have several sonia kashuk brushes. well, heck, i have a lot of brushes period. sonia’s brushes are of the professional grade. they are so durable and price effective. this particular brush is great for applying blush. i use this brush every single day. if you are looking for high quality makeup brushes but don’t want to spend a fortune, run out to target or shop online to get these brushes!

5| maybelline master conceal. (this shade is 30 light) finding a concealer that WORKS and STAYS put has been quite a challenge for me. i’ve read countless reviews and have purchased several to test – none compare to this product. this stuff covers my dark circles and any blemishes i might have perfectly. it blends nicely and doesn’t settle into any lines. the best part is that it doesn’t wear off throughout the day. i don’t have to touch-up during the day at all. it’s cost effective, too, coming in at $9. this can probably be considered a good dupe for this concealer – which i’d love to try!!

stay tuned for february’s favorites.

xx