I am all about throwing things away in the new year. I know that’s a weird way to start a beauty post but last weekend, I sat down in my bathroom and went through everything. Makeup, skin care stuff, hair products (why on earth I needed eight different dry shampoos I’ll never know), random toiletries all faced the chopping block. If it hadn’t been used in month or two – I feel like the time table should be way shorter for these daily items than the general rule of a year for clothes – it was gone.

Barely used products went in a donation pile, broken make-up containers faced a sad goodbye, old and forgotten products were chucked out, things I tried but didn’t truly love were cast aside, leaving only the best of the best behind. Obviously, there were a lot of tried and true favorites that made the cut but today’s post features some of my new additions that I’ll be keeping (and replenishing I’m sure).
Before you all jump on me for my poor counting skills, I do know that there are seven products in this post but I am treating the three Origins products as one since that’s how I’ve been using them. Yes, I know that is cheating but since I’m the boss around here, I make the rules.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5a + 5b + 5c

1. Pixi Glow Mist – I am a longtime fan of Pixi’s Glow Tonic and talked before about my love of their Milky Mist Moisturizer. Well, they have another winner with the Glow Mist. It’s very similar to the Milky Mist (see the full review here) in spirit but different in texture. It’s more of an oil (although that’s not really the best way to describe it, I’m struggling to find the best way to convey the experience) and goes on a little thicker than the Milky Mist. I liken it to the switch you make from a light or gel moisturizer in the warmer months to a heavier, thicker cream in the winter.

I use this right after washing my face and first thing in the morning. It’s a nice wake-up in the AM and is a great base before adding serums and eye creams at night. Who knows if it’s this product but I do think my skin has looked full and moisturized lately. I’m sure it’s a combination of things but this surely doesn’t hurt. It also lasts for a long time. I’ve been using this for a full month, at least two times a day, and I am only a quarter of the way through the bottle.

Grade: A 
Will I buy it/try it again? Yes. For the price (it’s $15) it is totally worth it. Although I am sure I will alternate between this and the Milky Mist. 

2. Juice Beauty Illuminating Primer  – I am a sucker for a good primer. Clearly, I am game to try all kinds of beauty products but I have a soft spot for primers. No joke, in my makeup arsenal right now I think I have four. Four that I consistently rotate between. This Juice Beauty one is in heavy rotation right now, especially with the effects of winter skin setting in.

Plus it’s organic, so if you’re committed to removing all of the bad chemicals from your beauty routine (I want to and I try but I doubt I’ll ever be able to get to 100%) – you need to check out this brand. It was founded in California and focuses on all natural products but it’s not granola or earthy-crunchy. Gwenyth Paltrow is the Creative Director, so you know the products are going to work well and look great.

I’ve tried a handful of things from their line and this primer is, hands down, my favorite. It goes on light and even with a little going a long way. I will say that it’s a little more watery than most of the primers I’ve tried, which was hard to get used to at first. If you’re committed to a thicker consistency, this might not be for you but I think once you get used to it, you’ll be fine. Just one, maybe one and a half, pumps is enough to provide full coverage. The best part is the “illumination” which doesn’t look sparkly but really gives your face a nice glow. This time of year, with dry skin and morning puffiness, this is especially key. I’ve used it for about a month and love it. Definitely two thumbs up for this one.

Grade: A- (only ding is on the consistency) 
Would I buy it/try it again? Yes, it’s a little more than I would usually spend on a primer but because it lasts so long, I think its worth it. If you’re into the more natural, organic products – this is a must. 

3. L’Oreal Liner Noir Liquid Eyeliner – Here’s the thing: I suck at eyeliner. It is my Achilles heel of makeup application. I’ve watched tutorial videos, asked countless friends for their tips and begged makeup artists to teach me their ways. And yet, I still tend to fail miserably 9 out of 10 times. But then I nail it one time and immediately think I’ve mastered the game, usually to return to my piss poor skills on my next attempt.

That’s not the case with this liner. I’m giving all the credit to the brush – which is like a ‘Cat Eyes for Dummies’ brush. That flick of the wrist largely eludes me but with this liner, it’s a little more manageable. That’s not to say you’ll see me out with a Pinterest-worthy look but I will say I am pretty happy with how easy this makes it.

I’m also hooked because my eyes are set back which can often lead to smudges and runs – not the case with this liner. It stays put without making a mess even when you accidentally rub your eye.  My eyes can be watery too and this allows me to rest assured that I won’t end up looking like a raccoon or like you just got in a bar fight after wiping my eyes. And did I mention it’s $10?

Grade: A 
Will I buy it/try it again? Yes. Definitely. 

4. Mary Kay True Dimension Lipstick in Sizzling Red – There’s not much to say here other than I LOVE this color. Such a fun, versatile berry red that suits a ton of skin tones. I’ve let more than a few friends try it and it’s looked amazing on all of them.

It’s bold enough to transform your look but not daunting the way some reds can be. I wore this color on New Year’s Eve and it made my entire outfit. Now that I’m wearing a lot more black, I’m turning to lip color to jazz up my looks and this color definitely does the job.

5. Origins Skin Optimizing Mask Primer + Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask + Ginzing Moisturizer – This is the three-for-one because I’ve been using these products in tandem so I feel like you all should too.

First off, this Mask Primer is my new favorite thing. You spritz it on before doing a mask (you could use it before any mask, I used it with a few of my favorites along with this one) to prep your skin. It gives you the extra clean feeling that is key right before getting down to business with whatever mask you’re using to get it right, get it tight (sing it and you’ll understand my train of thought). I know it might seem silly to add another step before a mask but I love the spa-like quality of the process.

Next up is the mask. I kind of have a love/hate relationships with masks. I love the feeling and results but hate the process, which can often be tedious and messy plus removing them can be painful at times. This mask eliminates all those cons. You apply it in a thin layer and then wait for it to foam up. I get some sort of odd pleasure watching it foam up but that’s neither here nor there. You don’t need to leave this on for 20 minutes, just a few will do. So no need to clear your schedule to get your pamper on. After a couple minutes, you rinse just like washing your face. Basically this mask is like an elevated face wash. It left my skin feeling hydrated and squeaky clean.

You wrap up the process with this lotion which almost has a gel like quality to it. I’m almost at the end of this tub and I’m kind of sad about it. I think that’s the sign of a great product. It’s light enough to use for days but packs enough of a punch to work with your serums for night. Especially if you like to alternate between a heavier night cream and something lighter, like I do.

Grade: A+ 
Would I buy it/try it again? Hells to the Yes. I’m actually thinking about buying a couple sets of these to give as gifts. Would make a great Galentine’s Gift. 

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So there you have it. After all this talk of masks, I want to go do one. And hey, if you have a snow day today (since it’s rolling in), there’s no better time to throw one on and settle in for a little binge watching (watch The Man in the High Castle – I am OBSESSED).