Merry Christmas my dear friends!

This is my last beauty favorites post of the year and while I’m not ready to come back & do videos just quite yet,  I have many beauty items that I’m passionate about at the moment.

Obviously the holiday season has been upon us over a month (if you celebrate the way I do. I had my tree up in early November). I love everything about this time of the year–including red lipsticks. Russian Red by MAC has been my HG lipstick this month. I found myself forcing myself to rock a nude lip because I had realized I’d been doing red lips every time I went out but I don’t care. This is the time and I’m loving every moment of Russian Red. I’ve tried higher end red lipsticks but I always keep coming back to Russian Red–it’s a classic intense bluish red matte color that is flattering on most (if not every) skin tone.

My Christmas Eve Makeup Look feat. the fabulous Russian Red

For eye shadow, I’ve been into quite a few colors that I shamelessly admit I haven’t touched in months.

I’ve been using Phoolf! everyday–it’s stunning on the lids, brow highlight & face highlight. It’s becoming one of my must have/ everyday beauty products.

In addition to my rekindled love affair with Phloof! I have recently rediscovered the fabulousness known as Wedge. Sure, you may think it’s dreadfully boring as it’s just a soft muted beige-taupe color but it’s fabulous for softening harsh lines.

Show-Stopper is another eye shadow I’ve been loving. I’m the type that is VERY specific about not using brown colors on the eyes when I’m wearing a black outfit etc…But there is something about the color….I wear it with both black & brown–I adore this color more than you know….of course it was LE. I’d love to see this be a permanent shade someday.

Carbon…what can I say about it? It’s a simple matte black color…not overly pigmented but  it’s just  perfect. Hands down, it’s my favorite black eye shadow.

In a recent video, I discussed my interest in better eye brow care. Who am I kidding? My eye brows are awkward, one seems to be more arched than the other and they both have terrible bald spots due to over-plucking through out the years.A few years ago, I bought this eye brow stencil kit by Anastasia and it worked miracles. I totally forgot I owned the stencils so I started using them again.
What I love about the stencils is that I can “draw” the brow on rather dark and dramatically while I’m plucking my brows. The stencil allows me to pluck only stray hairs and acts as a guide to allow my brows to grow in. It’s a SLOW process but I’m not giving up.
My brows (lightly stenciled in)–a work in progress...

At the moment, when I’m primping for the day, I take a short shader brush, a little Brun e/s by MAC and fill in what needs to be filled in to make my brows look symmetrical & somewhat normal. Using Brun allows the brows to look softer and natural. I use a velvet black brow pencil to lightly fill in my bald spots & blend into Brun–ever so lightly. It’s going to take getting used to these brows as they’re somewhat bolder than what I’m used to.

Glitter! I’ve been LOVING glitter at the moment and I’ve been incorporating both MAC Reflects Pearl Glitter & Wet n’ Wild Glitter in Confetti into my daily look. Uh, it is the holiday season so it’s totally allowed for daily use.

Oversized Stud Earrings-these faux diamond studs are my best pair. Very vintage-esque! They go perfectly with a red lip & most anything in my wardrobe.

This pic is a little blurry but these are my everyday earrings.

Yves Rocher Chocolate Orange lotion & perfume–sweet & season appropriate–I adore it and I’ve been using it most days. Unfortunately this was LE.

My Taupe Series! I’ve been slowly working (and enjoying every second) of the Twenty-Two Days of Taupe series, but, right now it’s all about MAC’s Russian Red.

On a personal note my husband bought me a rose today! I told him I will now expect a pink rose every Christmas Eve *lol*

I’ve been in love with Peppermint Hot Chocolate, having breakfast for lunch & dinner AND my Lip Smackers Gingerbread Cookie lip balm.

Here is a quick look at the new top I got from Forever 21–haul to come soon

That’s it for now! What are some of your favorites for the month of December?