November 2014 Favorites!

Better late than never, right? Once again, I had a difficult time narrowing down my favorites for this month but I think I picked some good ones! Here, in no particular order, are some of the products I just couldn't get enough of in the month of November. {Some products were purchased by me and others were sent for review; I will notate those as necessary}

Clarisonic Aria {$199; sent for review} - I really really like this side gig of mine, but there are days when I love it even more than others - like the day Clarisonic reached out to me and offered to send out the Aria for me to try! I've already waxed poetic on my love for the Clarisonic Mia and I never imagined that I could enjoy a Clarisonic more, but I do - I DO!!!! The Clarisonic Aria offers the same superb sonic cleansing I get with my Mia but now I have 3 speeds, a real time battery life indicator, a dual functioning drying stand, and USB enabled pLink charger. I'm using the "Radiance" brush head and am now newly obsessed with my skin care routine. It is so much easier to be diligent about it when you see results and my skin has never looked better, thanks largely in part to the Aria!

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cream Cleanser {$7.49; sent for review} - I wear makeup a lot more often than I did in the past and due to my late night schedule, I have developed a bad habit of going to bed with said makeup on. Seeing as I adore my Clarisonic Aria and therefore do not wish to stain its glorious brush head, I find it necessary to go through a pre-cleanse process to remove my makeup before getting down to the nitty gritty! Enter Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Cream Cleanser - it gently removes all traces of my makeup, washes away impurities and detoxifies pores without over-drying or irritation. Its rich, creamy formula with Willowbark bionutrients penetrates deep down to pores  while rinsing clean without clogging them. It's even gentle enough to use on my eyes, yet it's effective on even my waterproof liner and mascara. This creamy concoction is swiftly making itself a contender for my HG list!

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate {$65; I received a sample via Klout} - I didn't think I could love a serum as much as I loved Lancome's DreamTone Ultimate Dark Spot Corrector, but it looks like this one is up for the competition! Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate was created based on the concept that the immunity of the skin can be boosted just like the body's immunity, it works to enhance skin's inherent multi-defensive power against signs of aging, environmental factors and daily stress. I use it after cleansing and moisturizing and was shocked to feel a difference immediately! My skin felt softer, looked smoother, and my pores were less visible. Those are my only real skin concerns so I can 't really speak to its efficacy in other departments, but I can tell you it's worth giving a try - and I'm seriously contemplating splurging on a full size!

LUSH "So White" Bath Bomb {$6.45; purchased by me} - Why this is reserved for the Christmas season is beyond me - it would be absolutely delightful all year round! So White brings the crisp, fresh aroma of a juicy apple to your tub. It is my all time favorite bath bomb; after I tried it for the first time last year, I resolved to stock up when it came back {a plan that has swiftly been derailed after trying the Lord of Misrule and Shoot for the Stars, both of which I'm also obsessed with}. As it fizzes it releases softening baking soda and uplifting bergamot and neroli oils. Once the outer white shell fizzes away, it reveals a secret pink center that fizzes and foams, creating a glorious blanket of apple-scented snowy bubbles.

AERIN Eau de Parfum in Lilac Path {$110; purchased by me} - I love this fragrance with a passion! From the gorgeous packaging {there's a genuine semi-precious gemstone on each bottle top} to the assertively feminine scent within, this is the closest I've gotten to claiming a signature scent. While I'm not yet ready to become a one fragrance woman, I have worn this beauty almost daily for 3 weeks straight now. And who could blame me, check out this description - Lilac Path weaves a delicate story of crisp greens, rich blooms and delicate petals. Evocative Lilac infuses the scent with inviting depth, heightened by lush fragrant Galbanum. Creamy Jasmine Lactones blend with soft Angelica Seed Oil and Orange Flower. In other words, beautiful - especially on me! Lol!

Design Essentials Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion {$14; sent for review originally then repurchased by me} - First off, this smells freaking fantastic! But more importantly, it works. This moisturizing lotion defines curls and controls frizz for non-chemically treated hair. I use it as part of the L.O.C. {leave in, oil, curl cream} method and it is one of the few products that plays nice with just about any other product I try in my hair. It even works beautifully on its own and it smells so so good. I finished the entire bottle {a rarity}, repurchased and used up another!

NCLA Nail Lacquers in Emerald Bay and Cookies & Gold {$16; sent for review} - Don't you just love it when you rediscover long lost gems in your stash?!? That's how I feel about these two beauties! I was in need of a quick, yet pretty and unique nail color and inspiration struck when my Timehop feed featured my Mani Monday post from a year ago featuring Cookies & Gold...

...and I just had to get it on my tips again! That also called to mind another gem from NCLA's Black Market Collection, Emerald Bay...

...so of course I had to wear that too! I actually really love that entire collection, so I actually have naked nails as I type because I can't decide whether or not to wear Buillion in a Bottle...

...or Prized Possessions...

next. What do you think?

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder {$45; sent for review} - I tend to prefer powder foundations because of my oily skin and Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder has proved to be one of my favorites! It's breakthrough formula allows for a flawless complexion with its customizable wet and dry coverage. I can use a big fluffy brush for light coverage, a more compact brush {right now, I'm LOVING Real Techniques Expert Face Brush; it's an honorary favorite this month} for medium to full coverage, or go all out and dampen the sponge that comes with the foundation for maximum coverage. Any way you use it, you get a natural matte finish that lasts all day without feeling thick or heavy on your skin.

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer {$28; sent for review} – I featured this a while back, but have only recently become obsessed with this wonder! I use a shade slightly lighter than my natural complexion to brighten up my under eye area for a subtle bit of contouring.  This unique 3-in-1 concealer was designed to cover, de-puff and brighten under eye circles. The highly pigmented formula builds and blends flawlessly without creasing and lasts all day. The concealer was formulated with honey, vitamin E and fruit acid to  not only conceal, but nourish and smooth skin. I learned the hard way that a little goes a long way - it literally takes just a little dab on your finger to work its magic!

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 November? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and tell me all about them. Until next time...