October 2014 Favorites!

It's been a LONG time since I've done a favorites post, but I've been re-inspired to share what I'm digging each month once again! It was sort of hard narrowing down the products to include this month - but that's okay because there's always November! So here's the skinny on the goodies that made my list... {Some products were sent for review consideration}


Skin Care

1.  Jurlique Purifying Foaming Cleanser - I've been a fan of this cleanser {and Jurlique} for a while and sort of forgot about until I went shopping in my stash. I love its fresh, but not overbearing scent and that its a foaming cleanser {I prefer to use foams in the am and creams or scrubs in the pm} with a pump {makes it more sanitary and great for use with my Clarisonic}. This cleanser is rich with calendula, daisy, and peppermint to help lift away surface impurities gently. It leaves my skin balanced and hydrated.

2.   BioElements Pore Rescue Acne Gel - This is officially my holy grail acne product. My skin is not necessarily acne prone, but I do suffer from occasional break outs and this lightweight, hardworking gel has come to the rescue {ha!} like no other! Not only does it make swift work of any spots that may be threatening my complexion, it has made a visible difference in the texture of my skin and the appearance of the pores on my cheeks {the problem area pore-wise for me}.

3.   SheaMoisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Moisturizer - This WONDER helps keep problem skin hydrated, while balancing oily and blemished complexions. As someone with oily skin, I was actually taken aback {and a bit wary} when I first saw the moisturizer - it is quite thick! I dismissed my reservations and applied it to my face {a little goes a long way} and was shocked and amazed at how well it absorbs into the skin and the incredible way it left my skin looking and feeling. Initially, I thought that I'd reserve this for my night time routine, but it is SO GOOD that I use it twice a day. I have never loved a moisturizer as I do this one! I will always have one as a back up in my stash. I love this luscious, rich, skin pampering cream so much, I wonder how I'm ever going to be able to review or try another one because in my mind there is no point. It is The One - the Neyo of facial moisturizers in my Matrix. Yep, it's that good. So basically, GO GET SOME!

Body Care

4.   Mio Skin Care Double Buff - This beauty is a dual enzyme exfoliator -  it uses physical granules to scrub {perfectly rounded spheres of pumice, lava, and bamboo}, as well as papaya and pineapple enzymes for a chemical exfoliation {like a peel}. This potent combination instantly softens and hydrates for skin that feels brand new. It works to perfect and brighten uneven skin tone, while the special, fine formula is truly unique. It was love at first scrub for me. My skin looked and felt dramatically different after my first use. Not only do the ingredients make this exfoliator unique, the instructions tell you to use it while you're dry - before you enter the shower or tub.  The scent is quite pleasant - a mild, slightly citrus fragrance. The scrub feels invigorating and actually leaves me with a tingling sensation all over my skin, without feeling harsh or overly abrasive. My skin feels super soft as soon as I rinse of the product. The temps have been a bit bipolar here, but my yearly coat of crocodile skin has yet to rear its scaly head and I think that has a lot to do with regular use of this scrub!

5.   emerginC scientific organics coconut-argan body oil - Y'all know that I'm obsessed with oil and this one took that obsession to a whole new level. This spray on body oil is right on par with my HG Jergens Shea Body Oil. It smells delicious and soaks into the skin like a breeze. I love the easy application and how lovely it made my skin look and feel. I'm not gonna lie, it's a tad on the pricey side {it retails for $54} but it's so good that I actually bit the bullet and purchased this lovely concoction once I ran out of the bottle I was sent for review.

Hair Care

6.   Beautiful Textures Tangle Tamer Leave In Conditioner - This is another item that I loved so much after receiving it to review, I used it all up and purchased another - and I plan to continue purchasing it! It smells DIVINE {I get compliments on how great my hair smells EVERY TIME I use this} and makes my curls feel silky and smooth without any stickiness or added weight.

7.   SheaMoisture Super Fruit Complex 10-In-Renewal System Hair & Scalp Serum {sent for review} - This light weight delight is what I reached for whenever my hair needed a little TLC and I didn't have the time {or patience} for a deep conditioning treatment. It definitely gave my curls the boost they needed!


Makeup

8.   Pur Minerals Air Perfection Cushion Compact {sent for review} - This game- changing foundation is a lightweight mousse that gives your skin sheer to medium coverage without looking oily or greasy.The natural Farm to Jar ingredients provide skincare benefits to nourish your skin and improve your complexion. The blend of plant-based essential oils moisturizes skin, while the antioxidants and amino acids fight aging and damage. I love how easy application is and that the coverage is truly customizable. I never feel like I'm caked in makeup, even when I have to buff in a little more makeup than usual. I will definitely be repurchasing this goodie!

9.   Versace Crystal Noir Eau de Toilette - I caught a whiff of this as I was walking through the beauty department at my local Nordstrom during one of their Beauty Trend Events and I HAD TO HAVE IT! It is grown and sexy in a bottle! It is the perfect fall/winter fragrance - warm, inviting, sexy, and seductive with notes of gardenia, tuberose, and amber. I wear it almost everyday and if you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that that is very uncommon for me.

10.   The Balm Schwing Eye Liner - From the unique felt tip and fantastically matte formula - I was head over heels for this eyeliner from the first time I tried it! In fact, I used it every day after that first try, and the only reason I'm not using it every day currently is that I don't have a back up in my stash yet and I'm afraid to not have any on an occasion when I really need it. If you are a black eyeliner user, I HIGHLY recommend this!

11.   Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette -  Oh how I love this palette! This is another gem that stood out from the very beginning. Often times I add palettes to my collection and never even remove them from the packaging - not so with this beauty! I simply had to use it the day after I purchased it - and have used it EVERY TIME I've worn makeup ever since! Nooner is the perfect crease shade for me and I use it even when I'm not using any other shadows from the palette. But it's so easy to create multiple looks with the rose gold inspired shades. Strange and Dust are perfect for highlighting the brow bone and inner corners, Limit and Trick are great lid shades and Blackheart and Darkside are my go to's for the outer corner.

So those are my favorites for the month - and probably beyond! But now that I've picked these, I'll have to challenge myself to choose more next month. What were your favorites for October? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and tell me all about them. Until next time...