December Beauty Favorites

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I’ve got pile of new products to chat about from the month of December as well as some major disappointments.

Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub & Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Buttercream

(also mentioned Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Soufflé body creme)

fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15 in Rose

Anthropologie Tinted Lip Treatment in Lips & Roses

Stila eyeliners in Stingray, Metallic Umber, Sepia

(also mentioned Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon)

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara in black

(also mentioned Mac Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara)

Disappointments:

Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow

A terrible hair mask from Nordstrom

Topshop bronzer in Sandcastle (cannot find online)

Sephora waterproof eyebrow pencil in neutral grey brown (the one I love is Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil in Taupe)

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Anna says · 12.29.14

love hearing about your beauty faves! for Canadian-readers of your blog, Soap & Glory is sold in Shoppers Drug Mart – I ALWAYS see it on ends and have wondered if it’s as fantastic as its packaging – very excited to try!

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Sabrina says · 01.01.15

Thanks Anna – I may try it as well! 🙂

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Joanna says · 12.29.14

Couldn’t agree more about Anastasia perfect Brie and I’m excited to try the Stila eyeliner, I’m a fan of their products. Thanks as always for your great reviews!

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Joanna says · 12.29.14

Oops, perfect brow…lol!

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Stephanie says · 12.29.14 Reply
Kate says · 12.29.14

thanks!

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Kim says · 12.29.14

Loved this! Soap And Glory products are so great. Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂

Kim
http://trendkeeper.me

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Alicia says · 12.29.14

Thank you for always including some drugstore faves and disappointments for those of us that are on a beauty budget!

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Holly says · 12.29.14

Love ,soap and Glory Heel Genius!

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Nicole says · 12.29.14

I LOVE Milani blushes (Luminoso is a personal favorite) for a nice drug store blush. Also their lipliners and bronzer (the shade Glow is awesome) are great.

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Jill says · 12.29.14

Agree with Nicole. I love the Milani baked blushes. I get mine at CVS. I also have become seriously addicted to your blog Kate! Never did I think I would be spending so much time with a virtual “girlfriend.” Thanks for all that you do for your fans. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Jill

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Sarah says · 12.30.14

Seconding Milani Luminoso! One of my all time favorites and it’s lasted a long time!

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Ashleigh says · 12.30.14

I totally agree. Milani baked blushes (especially Luminoso) are awesome, and affordable!

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Stacey Wright says · 12.29.14

hi! I love your blog!!! What do you think of sites like Ipsy? Where you pay $10 a month and get a surprise make-up pack?

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Angela Geyer says · 12.29.14

I’ve heard people rave about Covergirl blush in soft sable or Maybelline master highlight blushes (I think that’s the name)! I haven’t tried either because I feel like a blush hoarder but they might be worth the try!

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Tara says · 12.29.14

I have to admit, I love watching your videos. You present things in such a personable way it’s like your just talking to friends… which is the best way to learn things, right? I wrote down the Anthropologie Lips and Roses and the Fresh Sugar Rose to try. Thanks for sharing.

http://absolutelytara.com

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Sarah says · 12.29.14

Great products!

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Sarah says · 12.29.14

Loved this video. I always enjoy your monthly favorites. I can’t wait to try the Anthropologie lip treatment! Also, what color nail polish are you wearing in the video? I LOVE it!!

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Kate says · 12.29.14

It’s Gelish Always & Forever 🙂

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Ashley says · 12.29.14

I love your videos and your blog! Have you ever tried Sonia Kashuk blush from Target? They are actually pretty nice for a drugstore brand, I recommend picking one up next time you are at Target!

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Leah | So, How's It Taste? says · 12.29.14

I love your nail color in this video! What is it? Thanks!

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Kate says · 12.29.14

It’s Gelish Always & Forever 🙂

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Elizabeth says · 12.29.14

Wonderful video! Your nail color is beautiful. Do you mind sharing what it is? Thank you!

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Kate says · 12.29.14

It’s Gelish Always & Forever 🙂

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Alisha says · 12.29.14

You have no idea how accomplished in my decorating abilities it makes me feel to know that we have the same decorative gold box.

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Colleen says · 12.29.14

Love watching your videos and hearing your reviews! What brand/color of blush are you wearing? My skin tone is very similar to yours and I love the color of your blush!

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Erika says · 12.29.14

I tried the Stingray liner and felt like it faded to look blue or grey as the day went on and also would rub off onto my upper lid 🙁 however, I just got the Kat Von D tattoo eyeliner and agree it is AMAZING. I’m still working on perfecting my liquid liner skills but that stuff is the bomb. Also that Anthro lip tint looks just like Tarte lipstick!

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Kate says · 12.29.14

I know, the packaging is so dang similar!

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Jenny says · 12.29.14

I love reading through people’s beauty favorites! I especially love when people include the disappointments. It’s all very helpful! That lip treatment sounds so nice ^_^
xx
Jenny // Mish Mosh Makeup

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Sissi says · 12.29.14

Maybe the Revlon blush works as eyeshadow? Just an idea! 😉

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Courtney says · 12.29.14

The Stila liquid liner is AMAZING. If you want to stick with the Stila (and cruelty free) route!

http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product/stay-all-day-waterproof-liquid-eye-liner.do

Love your blog!

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Jaime says · 12.29.14

I’m going to second this.. it is my go-to liquid liner. Stays on through EVERYTHING.

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Lisa says · 12.29.14

Loved this video! As per usual 🙂 I just use a cheap drugstore bronzer as my blush on a regular basis. I am a minimalist when it comes to makeup, which drives my younger sister bonkers, and it’s her who I usually go to for makeup advice (and you! Lol). It’s the NYC bronzer in “sunny” which is like a deep neutral rosé colour. It’s 4$! I use that for blush and use whatever is leftover on my brush to do a bit of contouring on the rest of my face. I have a sample blush from ulta in “sweet cheeks” that I use as blush touch up for the evenings, but I honestly don’t really know the difference between bronzer and blush. I feel that if I use both together it’ll be too much and I’ll look like a clown!

I vote that you do a 2014 fav video, if you get around to it. I appreciate the effort you put into these videos!

Looking forward to watching it. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! (I was gonna say baby’s first Christmas but he celebrated that last year, but I’m sure it was a lot more fun for you guys to watch his excitement this year! This was mine and my husbands first Christmas with our 8 month old son, so great!)

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Kate says · 12.29.14

thanks Lisa! It was much more fun this year 🙂 And congrats on your little 8 month old!

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Kristen V. says · 12.29.14

I love your videos! They always make me smile! Is there a tutorial somewhere of your eye makeup? I would love to learn how you line them like that!

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Sam says · 12.29.14

Love your blog Kate! I also tried the same eyebrow pencil and was so angry that it was orange toned! I ended up returning it and going back to my fave Clinique superfine liner for brows in soft blonde! I think I’ll try Anastasia next to test it out! Just thought I would recommend a fabulous drug store liquid liner, I’ve been using it for years(even had my makeup artist use it on me for my wedding day!). It’s Maybelline master precise by eye studio in black. Ive never had an issue of any kind with it! I can literally put it on at 7am and chase after my twin girls all day and it has not moved and is still perfect at 10pm! Looking forward to your fave products of 2014 video! Take care!!!!

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Jenna says · 12.29.14

I totally agree with the Revlon highlighting blush whatever it’s called! I bought it thinking the exact same things as you, tried it and hated it. Its way to glittery for me.

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Addy says · 12.29.14

I really like the Physician’s Formula blushes. My latest favorite is Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Blush in Warm. However, I have also used and liked their Powder Palette blush in Blushing Rose and their Mineral Wear blush in Rosy Glow. These are around $10 each.

On the less expensive end of drugstore I have used Wet N Wild Color Icon in Pearlescent Pink.

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Jen says · 12.29.14

Love you blog! I saw your post about the ambient light blush a while back and really wanted to try it but couldn’t get out to Sephora. So I went to Target to find something similar. I found Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearl blush (wow long name!) in Natural Pearl. And I really like it. It looks very shimmery in the package but come off softer. It does have some shimmer but it’s a very fine, soft shimmer if that makes since. Would love to hear your opinion! And on other of their products. They have lots of things I see and think I would like but don’t know how it will look on.

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Denise says · 12.29.14

I love Stila eyeliners! They are my favorite. I am sad to say there isn’t a Sephora in my area so I feel I am missing out!

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Kaylee says · 12.29.14

I know you like Tarte products, so I recently explored the Tarte section and discovered my new favorite eye liner. The Tarte “Lights, Camera, Lashes” precision long wear eyeliner is AH-mazing. It is really pigmented and gives a really nice, defined line. I really appreciate how thin I can make the line as well. I sometimes have issues with felt tips ALWAYS being super thick. Also, it isn’t shiny, if that makes sense. Sometimes any sort of liquid/felt tip liner looks really shiny to me (I’m looking at you SmashBox), but this has a more matte look. I would love to hear what you think about it!

Also, Too Faced is one of my favorite brands. I would love to see you review their products. Specifically the “Better Than Sex” mascara which is my absolute favorite. The other mascaras by Too Faced leave a lot to be desired in my opinion, but the brush for the “Better Than Sex” is a game changer. Also, the “Chocolate Soleil” bronzer is wonderful! It’s not too orange and not too gray, and it is on the sheer side which is important for pale faces like me. Plus it literally smells like hot chocolate. Which is a bonus to me – maybe not others 🙂

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Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes says · 12.29.14

I love Hand Food by Soap & Glory, but haven’t tried any of their other products yet. I’m intrigued by the Smoothie Star scrub and might have to give it a shot soon! It sounds awesome!

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Tara says · 12.29.14

Hi Kate! Thanks for this great video! I’m going to try some of your “hits” I already love the fresh sugar lip products!

Too faced has an awesome creamy liner that is my holy grail. Stays all day and does not budge. I have it in espresso (not a fan of black for me)

Milani baked blushes are great drugstore blushes.

I just picked up a gel type blush from Rimmel that is aaaahmazing! A teeny tiny amount gives a gorgeous flush. Try it out…it’s cheap!

My go to lip is revlon color stay double ended tube. Yes, the stain drying but after you put the gloss on the other end or Chapstick it’s fine. It will stay ALL day (and most times all night if I don’t take it off with remover!) I love it! The mulberry color is gorgeous FYI.

🙂

Ps David is so adorable! I love watching him grow! Can’t wait for the new baby to come either!

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April says · 12.29.14

I have had the same problem finding a blush in the drug store but I have found that Physicians Formula has some really nice ones. I use Natural and Rose. They aren’t shimmery but aren’t flat or chalky. They have very good color payoff as well.

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Missi says · 12.29.14

Love your favorites videos!!! I try to stick to products that are as natural/organic as possible for lip balms, hand creams, cleansers and moisturizers. Do you have specific natural brands that you can recommend?

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Jenny says · 12.29.14

Hey Kate!

Try Milani blushes! The brand is normally sold at CVS. The color selection is really beautiful and they wear very nice! Also I really love that aephora eye brow pencil it is all I use! I use midnight brown! And it has no redness at all! Check it out! Love your videos and blog

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Michelle says · 12.29.14

Have you ever tried any of the Mally products? I’d never heard of them (or her!) until my last visit to Ulta …

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Lisa says · 12.30.14

I have used her eyeshadows, not a big fan there, but am now using her Instant Impact Mascara, and it’s truly great, and worth the 20 something $$

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Lauren says · 12.29.14

I really have always enjoyed Covergirl blush in Natural Twinkle. It’s a soft pinky color with a touch of shimmer. Not too shimmery or glittery like the Revlon one you mentioned. I tend to find favorites and stick with products until I can’t find them anymore and this one has been around for awhile but for good reason. I did branch out and try the cream blush you had in one of your posts awhile back— I think it’s Loreal Lift in Rose Gold? I like that one too for a drugstore blush. 🙂 Thanks for continuing your favorites videos, I always enjoy them!

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Michele says · 12.29.14

I love hearing about your drugstore products. That is all my budget allows, and I also love Target. So as much as I love hearing about the ones you love, it saves me money to hear about your disappointments too. Because I trust your opinion so I just roll with that. That glittery blush, I tell ya, I bought one of those once. It glittered, but I thought “Oh well, I’m not going to redo my whole face”. Oh my, it’s not even close to glittery until you go outside on a sunny day. Good lord, talk about looking like a disco ball or $2 street date. Jeez. I gave it to my 6 year old daughter, she loved it. So thanks for the heads up on that Revlon one because I’ve eyeballed them before.

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Sylvia says · 12.30.14

i completely agree on the Marc Jakobs eyeliners. I got the brown, glittery one as a deluxe sample with my Sephora points and I’m pretty disappointed (even if it was free). Mom definitely not spending my hard earned money on those!

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erica says · 12.30.14

The drug store blush I use and like is milani baked blush in 05 luminoso color. I have bought it from kmart and walgreens. I really like it and will use it until I try and love a different brand.

ps I noticed you got an anniversary band to add to your wedding set. I’m crazy and notice stuff like that. Love your posts/blog. Thanks for sharing.

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Diana says · 12.30.14

Drugstore blush you should definitely try is the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. I found at Walmart, pretty sure Walgreens has it too. Also NYX blush in Mocha (a mid-tone pink) I’ve found that the NYX blushes last for hours compared to other drug store brands. I’ve also used and loved the Stila eyeliner in Stingray until i found the It Cosmetics No Tug Waterproof eyeliner. Rich color that does not smudge and last’s all day. A while back in one of your favorite videos you mentioned the It Cosmetics Bye Bye under eye concealer and i was like yes, yes….IT IS the BEST under eye concealer EVER!!!!!! I also use the Bye Bye under eye corrector by ‘It Cosmetics’ under the concealer and absolutely LOVE IT!!! Even though the coverage is great with using just the concealer alone, but it’s even better with the corrector (I have MAJOR DARK CIRCLES). Like you i too was using the Bobbi Brown corrector before and think that the ‘It Cosmetics corrector’ has so much more coverage.
ps…. love your blog

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Andrea Partekel says · 12.30.14

You should try the Anastasia brow Wiz next time. It’s so amazing!! And in reply to you asking what’s a great drug store blush- Milani baked blush in luminoso is my fave. I would rank it with all my higher end blushes. You can find that entire line of make up at Walgreens!

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Lisa says · 12.30.14

So, Yes!!! Stila smudgestick is truly awesome! I had been using urban decay, but for some reason they never lasted, and the black (perversion I think) was smudge city – everywhere! UGH. I got the stila in one of their palettes, and I am in love! Slowly swapping out my existing colors, just got navy off eBay.

Here’s another vote for Milani blushes. I have Luminoso also, which is close to Nars’ orgasm, but less glittery, so big win there. They have a nice bright pink I keep thinking of buying.

Mascara wise – I suggest picking up a tube of Mally’s Instant Impact Mascara next time you are in Ulta. I have an absolute love hate relationship with mascara. I wear contacts, and my eyes are easily irritated by mascara, and the remover necessary to get rid it. Everything smudges under my eyes unless I get waterproof, and then end ripping my lashes out removing them. The Mally so far is the best I have used in ages.

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Laura says · 12.30.14

Kate, you actually mentioned the Stila liner in Stingray in your February favorites video from earlier this year! You also featured it in a couple of tutorials back in March. 🙂

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Meagan says · 12.30.14

Thanks for including the good and the bad!
Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

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Lindsay says · 12.30.14

Agree, love Kat Von D’s Trooper eye liner – but it is actually a brush tip as well! (not a felt tip). I am very fair toned like you, and I love The Body Shop’s Honey Bronzer in 03 (definitely worth it if you pick up a body butter and get it 1/2 off!) and Too Faced Bronzed and Poreless. Both give great color, warming up your complexion while looking natural. They are also very smooth and blendable! The Too Faced one is slightly ashier so it works well for “contouring” (USE CODE “MAKEUPLOVE” to get 20% off).

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Laura says · 12.30.14

The absolute BEST felt tip eyeliner I’ve found would hands down be L’Oreal Superliner Blackbuster – fairly inexpensive. Worth a try!!!

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JenMH says · 12.30.14

I absolutely LOVE your blog. I was a regular reader every time you posted, but now with my 21 week old twins I find you are my favorite quick “me” time, if my husband sees me staring into the iPad he always asks, “Is that Kate?” so I guess I am a frequenter. Make-up and hair is all that ‘fits, if you will, so I am so grateful…and I always love your recommendations.. beauty and baby ;)!!

I also just wanted to share, my all time fav top liner is MAC’s Penultimate…amazing. I can’t wait to try the stila you use for my lower lids, just got my Bye Bye Undereye today!

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Molly says · 01.01.15

Hey Kate,

Not sure if anyone else mentioned it, but NYX has great blushes. I used them all the time, and always find my self very pleased by the outcome. You can find them at Ulta, or Target.

Hopefully you’ll find one you like!
Happy New Year!!

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lyndsay says · 01.01.15

hey kate, i know you have a pretty solid mascara routine by now, but if you haven’t tried the new laura mercier volumizing mascara (full blown lash volume) it’s the best one step mascara i’ve ever used and makes my little lash stubble look so long and full with minimal effort. happy new year!

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Kristin S says · 01.01.15

Kate, friend, I know you know this. Nordstrom has free shipping and free returns so order that Mac Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara from them. I’m a Sephora/Ulta girl too but…. free shipping.

OR you may always send me to the mall. I love those adventures!

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Kate says · 01.02.15

These are so fun to watch!

I have a question: What eyeliner/eyebrow pencil/lipliner sharpeners do you use? I have a few favorite products but only one sharpener that doesn’t destroy the pencils, and of course I got the sharpener at some home product party about 10 years ago and can’t find another. It seems like the basic sharpeners I buy aren’t worth the plastic they’re wrapped in. Help!

From another Kate 🙂

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Terri says · 01.02.15

Hey Kate, I wondered if you found with the MAC mascaras that they leave a stringy line in your eyelid when trying to wash off? Maybe I need to use a different make up remover with it? It has put me right off!! Thanks!

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Kate says · 01.03.15

I haven’t had that issue!

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Phon says · 01.05.15

I’m like you with eyeliner…I wear eyeliner everyday and sometimes I think I my body gets immune to it or something because then it’ll start smudging on the bottom. I just was introduced to Lancome Artliner. It’s a liquid felt tip liner but it’s awesome. It stays put and it’s dark! You should try it

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Anna says · 01.06.15

I love the Stila eyeliner! It is my all-time favorite. I have a 6 month old and I find that if I’m feeling drab with my top knot and dark circles under my eyes after another night of no sleep, I can wip out that eyeliner and make myself feel at least halfway chic again! 🙂

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pengobatan Sipilis Alami says · 01.10.15

Stila eyeliner

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Chendra says · 02.20.15

I have tended to fall towards elf products at target. I have liked what I have tried but I don’t wear makeup much either.

For had creams I got one in my birch box a few months ago. It was a glycerin hand cream. In Tuscan honey. I live in Colorado so my hands crack constantly. This worked wonders. I also use aquaphor if it is really bad. I mix it with any lotion. And use it on my lips.

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