MY NEW BEAUTY FAVORITES FROM 2014

2015 is here! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe celebration last night. 2014 was definitely an amazing year of new beauty discoveries for me, along with a few re-discoveries. Here are my 2014 favorites that have earned their permanent place among my beauty staples.

CND Solar Oil

This nail and cuticle oil is amazing. I was using this nail and cuticle balm from Burt’s Bees for the longest time, and though I still like that, this oil sort of puts it to shame. Your rough and dry cuticles will literally disappear. I have the bigger bottle in my makeup drawer, and a smaller one for my handbag.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask

I love this hair mask. It is rich, smells wonderful, and is oh so wonderful for dry or damaged hair. I wouldn’t say my hair is dry, but it does receive abuse daily from flat ironing and sun exposure. A little of this mask goes a long way too. About a nickel size dollop is all you need.

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

This mask is more like a rediscovery for me. I used it when it first launched and I really liked it, but because it was a mask I didn’t think it appropriate to use a regular moisturizer for day and night so I stopped using it. Here is the thing about my skin, it tends to be dry, yet when I use anything heavy or oil laden I break out. This product moisturizes with shea butter, and while that is a rather heavy emollient, it doesn’t seem to bother my face if I don’t overdo it. Whatever works right? The bonus fragrance free formula is a plus for me as well. This is a great intense moisturizer for anyone with thirsty sensitive skin like mine.

Bath and Body Works Ultra Shea Body Butter

I must confess Bath and Body works body products are usually not my favorite. I am 100% faithful to their candles, hand soaps, and hand sanitizers. Their line of lotions, creams, and shower gels however, I find they are just not moisturizing enough. Enter their new reformulation of their body butter! These have top-notch ingredients and I like that they have a lighter scent, as compared to their other lotion and cream counterparts. They are very creamy, thick, moisturizing, yet easy to spread. They are a tad on the greasy side, but they do contain a fair amount of beneficial oils. I do hope they continue to stock this new formula, as I will be a repeat consumer for these. I plan to stock up tomorrow!

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder

Topical Vitamin C is a very important component for younger and brighter looking skin. I have found however, that most Vitamin C serums do not contain a significant amount of the ingredient. This is why I love this powder. It is concentrated, and comes with a little scoop to measure it out. I add about a half of the scoop to my serum for my morning routine. I will say that if you have never used Vitamin C on your face before, you should start out using a half a scoop like I do, and maybe every other day to start as it might irritate your skin at first.

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner

I did a review on these before, but I had to include them! I rarely buy a shampoo and conditioner twice, but this line I will definitely be repurchasing. This line has helped so much with making my hair strong, shiny, and moisturized. I know Pureology is expensive, but I have had these bottles for almost 7 months and I am just now halfway through them. Great investment for your hair!

Dermalogica Map- 15 Regenerator

This is another powder form product that you add to your serums or creams. This is the only product that I use from Dermalogica, as it is pretty much the only one that does not contain irritating lavender oil. This product has a lot of anti-aging benefits. I add it to my serum or moisturizer at night. The only thing I do not like about it is that you have to pour it out, leaving you little control of how much product dispenses. I am usually very careful to tap only a little out at a time.

Clinique Calyx

Does anyone remember when Calyx was made by Prescriptives? Does anyone remember Prescriptives? I never used anything from their line except this fragrance! It smells so fresh and clean. I would describe it as a fresh, green, herbal floral with a hint of citrus. The last time I bought this was years ago, then later I guess Prescriptives went out of business. I was sad because I wanted to continue to purchase this fragrance. Flash forward to months ago when I was walking through Macys and saw that Clinique had re-launched it! That was a good day.

Benefit Dandelion

This light pink blush is very much a cult favorite, and I used to use it, and I don’t remember why I stopped. I have been looking for a new blush for a while. I have porcelain skin with a hint of olive, and black hair. Yeah, most blush makes me look like a clown. I went back to this a few months ago after realizing I wasn’t going to find anything better that is light enough, and gives me the most natural flush. I do not use the brush that it comes with. I use a professional blush brush. This color is perfect for us pale ladies, and I love the fact that it is not laced with a bunch of glitter. Glitter belongs on your nails, and your Christmas decorations! That’s it!

Clarisonic Pedi-Sonic

I was so excited when this product launched as I have been a faithful user of a Clarisonic for years. This device really does do wonders for feet. In this kit I got you get the device, charger, buffing brush head, smoothing disk, buff cream, foot balm, and the peel serum. I got the kit because it is actually was a better deal than getting the device and 2 of the other products separately. The disk is like a pumice stone ad I use that and the brush the most. As far as the products that come with it, I like the balm fine, but after I ran out I just used my regular foot cream which I found is just as effective. The buffing cream is basically a scrub and I will use a salt scrub in place of that when I run out. The peel serum I will not be repurchasing, as I feel all the other products in the it work fine without it.

Burberry Brit Rhythm

This fragrance is not for someone who does not like an enveloping scent. When I first sprayed this on myself my husband hated it. Then after 15 minutes he smelled me again and asked what that wonderful smell was. It takes a few minutes to settle. It is very complex. The key notes are lavender and blood orange. It makes for a very interesting combination. I love it. It does permeate your clothing so I would not spray it directly on your clothes, and you really shouldn’t do that anyway.

Chloe Love Story

This fragrance actually just became available at Sephora! It is a very fresh floral with a hint of fruit and musk. Not too sweet, not cloying. I love it!

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

These pads are amazing! i use them every 3 days to keep my skin soft, smooth, wrinkle free, and flake free. It is pretty potent stuff, so if you are sensitive to chemical acids, use once a week and gradually move up to more frequent use when your skin acclimates.

Lush Buffy Body Bars.

I love these. They are basically a bar that you buff over your body in the shower. It exfoliates while moisturizing your skin with creamy shea butter at the same time. Sometimes when I get out of the shower after using these, I feel like I can skip my moisturizer; though I usually don’t!

My that was a long list! Here’s to all the new beauty products yet to be discovered in 2015!

What were your favorites from last year?