 I love Benefit cosmetics. The brand is fun, vibrant and ranks high on the 'favorite makeup brand' charts. Benefit Cosmetics Makeup Kits are the prefect way to try the brands best sellers and get a cute little makeup pouch. I purchased the 'Sunday My Prince Will Come Easy Weekender Kit' and 'Date Night With Mr. Right Sexy Night Out Makeup Kit' (the names are so fun). The products pictured here are from both kits - I only kept my favorite mini products and the pink pouch. There's also a Benefit Work Kit, Girl! Work-Day Essential Makeup kit. Each Benefit Cosmetics kit comes with four mini's and a makeup bag. My favorite Benefit products - Benefit Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter in Champagne is my favorite highlighter (and I've tried them all). The highlight is subtle and the perfect shade. The stick glides on nicely - apply to your check bones, the bridge of your nose and upper lip with a damp beauty blender. The full-sized product has a little sponge applicator on one end, but I prefer the beauty blender. Benefit High Beam is a satiny-pink liquid highlighter. I put a little in my moisturizer for a healthy glow. Benefit They're Real! Tinted primer in Mink Brown is the perfect primer for eyebrows and lashes. Apply the primer before mascara for a dramatic look, or alone for a 'no-makeup' kinda look. Benefit GALifornia Blush in Sunny Golden Pink looks amazing on sun-kissed skin. It's an orange-coral shade and the pigment is strong, so apply a little and layer. The Benefit mini products are really small and perfect for your handbag or travel cosmetic bag. I love mini's! Each kit retails for $32 and are available at Sephora. 
  In preparation for self-tanning season (Imma faux-tan kinda girl), I've been sampling body scrubs. The verdict - Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is my favorite. This body exfoliator has transformed my tired, 'winter' skin. The robust granules are tough on dry skin. You can really feel the aggressive scrub removing the dead, parched skin and you'll love how soft your skin feels after a few applications (even those little bumps on the back of your arms will slightly diminish). WARNING - this stuff is aggressive, so if your skin is sensitive, I don't recommend using Babe Body Scrub. I used the entire bag (everyday) for a week and now I can't live without it. The Green Tea scent is refreshing. I used Babe Body Scrub Pink Salt as well but didn't love the smell. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub doesn't leave your skin feeling oily, but just refreshed and smooth. The resealable bag is convenient, cause you can dump some product into your hand and exfoliate your skin by section. I also use this scrub on my feet after a pedicure - amazing results (yes, I do my own pedicures). There's also a coffee scrub that is supposedly good for cellulite. I think the three scrubs do the same thing but smell different. Caffeine-infused salts are not going to diminish cellulite! I really like this body scrub and will definitely repurchase. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is available at Sephora. 
Luxury hairstyling brand, IGK, was founded by in-demand stylists from Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. YOU GOTTA VIEW THESE GUYS ONLINE! These stylists are really fascinating and their individual styles are so intriguing. I'd fly across the country and break the bank to get an appointment with any of these stylists - maybe Aaron, Franck, Chase or Leo can recommend a solution for my 'forevermore' damaged bob. Yeah, I tried to go blonde last June and am still suffering the consequences. This modern product line has something for every hair trend. My hair is damaged, so I can't experiment with hair products too much. I try and stick to nourishing products, but I do spritz on a little dry shampoo or dirty spray once in a while. When I get my healthy, silky stands back, I'm gonna indulge in all the IGK products.
The Down & Out Dirty Spray is a great styling product. I have a bob (well kinda) - more like a damaged shag! This spray adds texture and volume. The only downside is that my hair has to be washed the next day. My hair looks really greasy and dirty the morning after applying it. I love this product, but just gotta plan the application prior to a wash. The Dirty & Out spray also comes in a travel size.
The Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask is my favorite. The LA scent is sweet and soft. The application is easy - wash your hair, apply the product (it's a 360 aerosol spray), wait a minute and rinse. Your hair will feel so soft and nourished. If this mask can combat my dry, damaged hair, it will do wonders for the average mane. I LOVE this product.
The Jet Lag Invisible Shampoo works great to soak up the oil and create volume, but I'm hesitant to use anything that has 'dry' in the label too often. The scent is nice, but a little strong. I'd prefer this product to smell like the Prenup instant spray hair mask. The Laid-Back Defrizz and Anti-Static Spray has dropped from heaven and answered my hair-static prayers. If you have fine hair, you know static can be super f**king annoying. I used to use Static Guard (yes, the anti-static material spray) on my hair to combat static, but am happy to have a 'hair' styling product replacement. The MIA scent is sweet and subtle. I LOVE this product. Yeah, these products are expensive, but worth it. There's 24+ IGK hair styling products, including styling, shampoo and conditioners. You can purchase IGK luxury hairstyling products at Sephora. 
I've comprised a small list of 'on a budget' gifts for her. These trending products are all AMAZING! Gift them alone, mix-and-match, or create the ultimate stocking for the girl who's obsessed with cosmetics. Sugarbearhair is no different than any other 'healthy hair' vitamin as far as ingredients go. These little chewy bears are taking over Instagram simply cause they're cute, and the vibrant color looks great in photos. These mini turquoise bears are fun and taste yummy (like eating gummy bears). Most of us have 'hair struggles' and would appreciate berry flavored gummies that promote healthy hair. One jar (60 bears) retails for $29.99.
I've been raving about Glossier products for the last few weeks and Balm Dotcom (the universal skin salve) is my favorite. The dense salve is perfect for any and every dry patch on your skin. Apply to your nails, face, body.. There are five to choose from and retail for $12.
It's Skin Cookie Body Ice Cream is AMAZING! The mint, original and strawberry flavors smell just like (JUST LIKE) ice cream. This body ice cream is lighter than a body butter but thicker than body cream. The soft cookie chip pieces melt upon application and add to the 'ice cream effect'. Each 2.7 oz pot (small enough for travel) retails for $10 at Sephora. LOVE!
MILK Makeup Limited Edition Triple Threat Glow Set contains three travel size, best selling products. The mini Face Mist contains rice and ginger water that calm and nourish skin. The Sunshine Oil comes in a little rollerball pen - perfect purse/travel size. Body and face oil are essential during the cold season. And.. my favorite is the super tiny Highlighter Cream Stick. The color is universally flattering and brightens your skin for the perfect highlight. This mini highlighter is a great travel replacement for my Benefit Watt's Up! Cream to Powder Highlighter (you all know this one). These three mini's come in a plastic box, retail for $30 and will make just about anyone happy!
Most people who wear makeup, own a beautyblender® makeup sponge (or some other brand). If not, GO GET ONE! Another innovative product by beautyblender® is the liner.designer. The triple-edged eyeliner guide works with all eyeliner formulas to create the perfect look. It's like eyeliner application for dummies. The silicon guide comes with a mini plastic case and suction cup (not sure why there's a suction cup?). liner.designer retails for $16 and is available in pink or clear. There ya have it! The ultimate gifts under $30 for the product junkie(s) in your life. 
   Brightening, Setting, Retouching.. And this is after you've applied foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush.. As I age, my multitude of skin issues are more apparent and that means more product. Often, too much has the adverse effect and you end up looking like a art project gone wrong, but setting powders is a necessary step to perfect makeup. After applying topical medication (rosacea), serums, moisturizer, corrective creams, and sometimes foundation, my face is rather shiny. Thanks to my 'angry', combination skin, I'm having to deal with an oily complexion too. Bobbi Brown White Skin Correcting Powder is meant to 'brighten and illuminate' fair skin tones, but I use it to slightly mattify my look. It's the last step in my makeup routine, but if I'm having one of those 'dry' days, the powder will magnify my dehydrated skin. Decisions - oily or flakey? I apply Bobbi Brown Skin Correcting Powder in peach to add a little warmth to my complexion. Focusing my cheeks, this subtle shade looks great on my super-fair skin. I don't feel like either of these retouching powders are drastically enhancing my makeup, but Bobbi Brown is about subtlety! Move over BB, there's newbies in the Cosmocube! Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder is like magic fairy dust. The transparent powder is formulated with light-reflecting micronized pigments that illuminate your under eye area while setting your concealer. Apply concealer, blend with a damp beautyblender, be sure there's no creasing, dab your damp makeup sponge into the powder and lightly pat it onto your under eye area. Too much is ok - it will settle and you can sweep off the excess product in a few. AMAZING results! My concealer is set, there's little-to-no creasing and my under eye area appears significantly brighter. LOVE! The mint green tint of Laura Mercier Shine Control Pressed Setting Powder tones down redness (I NEED THAT) while reducing shine. The 'Shine Control Complex' gives you a shine-free, fresh, mate finish - a much-needed addition to my cosmetic bag for on-the-go touchups. While we're on the topic of green - Sephora Collection Bright Future Color Correctors are super light and great for combating discoloration, blemishes.. I use the green shade to neutralize the redness on my nose. The formula is lightweight and blends nicely. 
    I am a self-declared product junkie and I LOVE Sephora Favorites. These boxes are a great way to try new cosmetics without spending dollars on full-sized products. Oh, but I would pay full-price for some of these mini's (major 'mini' product junkie)! Honestly, I don't have time to try every product in these boxes and if I did my skin and hair would most likely get super angry and lash out in flakes and frizz. There's only so much you can put on your face and a multitude of products doesn't promote healthy skin. I choose boxes that have a few products I intend to try and then share the others. An excellent gift idea for the holidays - buy three to four boxes, split up the products amongst your friends, arrange in small Sephora bags, tie a ribbon and everyone will love you. Back to my mini product addiction. I prefer little products, cause I can pack tons of shit in my cosmetic bag without compromising and they fit in my Cosmocube nicely. And.. you're getting great value for your dollar. The Glow For It box has six products for $30 ($6 each). Not bad considering the full-sized Benefit Watts Up! Cream-to-Powder highlighter retails for $30. Multiple mini's for the cost of one full-sized. I never finish full-sized products before they expire anyway - there's always something new to try. 
   I'm obsessed with Kiss Me Balm by Sephora, and am super bummed that they discontinued it. Yeah, I stocked up before they sold out, but I've been on a mission to find a new favorite. Just posted and already out of stock, the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint is AMAZING (and officially my new favorite). The barely-there color blends with your natural lip color and gives a subtle pink shade that enhances your own lips. The creamy texture goes on nicely and nourishes your lips. I like the packaging - the tube is a bit smaller than the average lipstick and the pearl white case is chic. Anytime the conversation of best lip enhancers comes up, I'm shouting TOO FACED LIP INJECTION EXTREME from the rooftop! This lip plumper will give you the ultimate pouty lip. Lip Injection Extreme isn't new, but now there's a mini version (LOVE). The Sephora Lip Color Lip Last Lipstick in Oh My Beige! and Sephora Rouge Gel Lip Liner in The Nudest are a match made in nude lips heaven. The gel-cream texture of the liner glides on smoothly and the nude shade matches my lips perfectly. The liner is retractable, so no sharpening and no shavings. The Lip Last Lipstick is oh so creamy. The color is a bit lighter than I'd like but combined with 'The Nudest' lip liner create the perfect nude lip shade. Strawberry Short Cake is back and channelling her scent through Lip Last Lipsticks! The scent is amazing (and addictive). It really does smell like my favorite childhood doll. I will definitely purchase more Lip Last Lipsticks and Gel Lip Liners.. 
   MILK - 'for the girls who spend less time getting done up and more time getting stuff done'. Umm ok! Seems like the MILK makeup line would require just as much time as any other to apply, but they're trying to market a certain girl and well, I'm not gonna argue their 'new take on makeup'. These sticks are, for lack of a better phrase, kinda fun. They're like little deodorant sticks packed with natural ingredients to hydrate and highlight. I gotta admit, the Holographic Stick and Highlighter are a bit too 'hyper' for my facial complexion, but they are great for highlighting other parts of the body. I use the Hydrating Oil Stick all over my legs and then apply the highlighter for a little color and glow. Shimmery legs appear longer and reflect light nicely in photos. For 'intense' highlighting, the holographic stick leaves a lavender-like hue of micro sparkle on your skin (not my favorite). I'm a little too old for purple highlights! I love the Hydrating Oil Stick - I'm finding new ways to use it every day. Aside from applying to my legs (super easy application), I also use the oil in the inner corner of my eyes. This area is a problem for me and is always dry?? After I have finished my makeup application, I hold my finger on the oil stick until it warms and then gently apply a little to the inner corner of my eyes. AMAZING results! I was most excited to purchase the Cooling Water - I think it's the first stick I purchased (the others quickly followed). I was expecting big results from this stick and am kinda disappointed. While the cooling sensation (make sure to keep refrigerated or put on ice for 5) was nice, the solution didn't seem to have a big effect on my puffy eyes. The formula does glide on much easier when warm, but after cooling, application is harder and stretches your skin while you glide the stick around your eyes. Never stretch your under-eye area - gravity and age will cause enough damage, you don't need to add to this problem area. Mind you, I did wait until I had major under-eye baggage to try the Cooling Water. There are many other uses for this product, but I haven't got around to exploring them. I purchased this stick for my under-eyes and am not sure I would apply to other areas of my face for hydration and circulation - I have other products for that! The stick is still in my fridge and if I'm perusing the food selection, I might (and have) smear a little around my area for the cooling sensation.. The photos taken above show the highlighting effect of the Holographic Stick, Highlighter, and Hydrating Oil Stick. Yes, I separated the swatches, but they were all on my arm for the photo (same time, same lighting). 
    Six months ago, I was anti-sparkle, but since discovering the benefits of highlighting my face, I'm officially addicted. My highlighting products are growing faster than anything else in my CosmoCube (best makeup organizer). After applying foundation, I apply Benefit Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter down the bridge of my nose, on my cheekbones, cupid's bow (to make your lips appear bigger) and blend with a damp beautyblender and a little Farsali Rose Gold Elixir. Then I apply setting powder, blush, maybe bronzer and all-over illuminating powder. All those powders on top of the Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter will lessen the illuminating effect and using a damp (oily) sponge to apply more is a no-no for me (I'm oily enough and gotta hold back on the Elixir). In enters my new favorite cosmetic - highlighting 'powder'. Of course, I opted for my favorite cosmetic brand! The Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Pink Glow is perfect for a little extra light-reflective glow. The pink highlights are nice on pale skin tones and the effect is subtle (if applied lightly). I use the Sephora Pro Fan Brush #65 to little dust the highlighter on my check bones. For more precise application on my nose and cupid's bow, I use the Bobbi Brown Eye Sweep brush - it's more dense and allows you to apply more product. If you want a high-impact glow, apply a little Farsali Rose Gold Elixir to your cheekbones, bridge of your nose and cupids bow, then lightly apply Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder - super glow! I LOVE this highlighting powder. 
      The facial feature people focus on most is your mouth and just north of your pearly whites is your nose - noticeable from most angles and usually crammed with impurities and closed pores, this part of your face can be annoying to keep blackhead free. I know people do suffer from blackheads on other parts of the face, and even the body - luckily I only get them on my nose. Blackhead removing strips are a great way to remove those yucky blackheads, reduce excess oil and reduce the appearance of pores. Sephora Charcoal Nose Strips are a new product from their facial/body masks line. These anti-blackhead nose strips are enriched with charcoal - known for powerful absorption and cleansing. These strips retail for $3 each (just one strip). The Bocsia Black Strips retail for $28/2.33 per strip (12 nose strips). I wanted to like the Sephora strips, but was disappointed with the results. The strips have an unpleasant chemical scent. I think the goal was to make them smell fresh, but it's too strong and not nice. The strips went on easily, but after 20 minutes of drying, I pulled off the strip and was left with globs of black glue-like stuff on my face (pictured here). Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips are my favorite. Like Sephora Charcoal Nose Strips, Boscia Black Strips contain charcoal that draws out impurities. These detoxifying strips are easy to apply - cleanse face, wet your nose, place the strip across your nose, press (I like to wet the strip for extra contouring around my nose), wait 15-20 minutes and peel off from the outer-corners in. These strips are odor free and get the job done. I've also tried Nivea Clear-up Strips in the past and they too have an intense smell. Dear cosmetic companies, nobody wants a sheet of perfume sitting their nose for 15 minutes. While Nivea does have nose, chin and t-zone strips in one box (excellent idea), the scent is too much for me. 
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