Irresistibles and Undesirables: January 2017

We're currently in mid-February, and I'm just now getting around to posting this blog. Sorry for the delay! 

Welcome to Irresistibles and Undesirables, the first of many in my series of monthly favorites and disappointments on my blog. Before we get into the meat of the content, I want to explain how I pick each of the products in these posts. Some of these products are new releases, some are just new to me, and some of them are things I reached for the most during the month. Without further ado, let's reveal my irresistible products in the month of January. 

Irresistibles

We've got some nice variety in here! The first item is the SugarBearHair Vitamins, which can be found in countless Instagram hair selfies, littered through gorgeous shining locks. I'm no Instamodel, so I don't have a hair selfie for you today; however, I believe all of the hype for this product is well deserved. These are vegetarian gummies fortified with biotin, folic acid, and Vitamin C, and their packaging claims to be gluten free, soy free, and cruelty free. One thing I learned from reading the supplement facts is that the serving size of 2 gummies a day contains 100% of my daily value of Vitamin B-12, which I've been concerned about since my transition to veganism. And guys, there is a notable difference in my hair now that I've been taking them for a while. It looks so much healthier, and the shine is almost blinding. I haven't had my hair cut since October, and there aren't many split ends. It feels stronger, almost thicker. In case you were wondering, these also taste pretty good.

My next irresistible product is the SS017 Deluxe Highlight Fan from Crown Brushes. I received this in my January Boxycharm, and I instantly fell in love. The bristles are dense enough to pick up product but soft enough to be gentle on the skin. This even picks up the highlighters in the Tarte Pro Glow palette, which are some seriously tightly packed products! I. Love. This. Brush. Thank you, Boxycharm!

The Unfiltered II cheek palette is one of two NARS products I adored in January. Upon first glance, I preferred the NARSissist Unfiltered II to the Unfiltered because of all the beautiful pink shades in this palette. There are two matte shades (Conquest, Power Play) and four shimmer shades (Hot Sand, Undefeated, Fame, Candid). Here are some swatches:

Left to right: Conquest, Hot Sand, Undefeated, Fame, Power Play, Candid

I'll be honest: the pigmentation is not the strongest, especially on the shimmer shades. But, sometimes I prefer a little less pigment. Because of my pale skin tone, I have to be really careful with blush. A little too much blush makes me look like I've just stepped off a treadmill, but too little or no blush causes a lack of dimension to my face. For anyone darker than me (everyone on the planet), I have good news: these shades are easy to build and blend. I've had so much fun playing around with this so far.

Our second NARS product is the Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Light 1 Chantilly. I am obsessed with this concealer! This is the first concealer I've ever purchased that wasn't from the drugstore, and I'm so glad I made this investment. It's thick, almost buttery, full coverage, and it leaves the most beautiful finish on the skin. It can sink into fine lines and wrinkles, so SET IT, GIRL. It also makes for a great highlighting shade, even on my skin tone.

Ipsy sent me Indi Beauty's Buttercream Antioxidant Lip Scrub in the October 2016 glam bag, and y'all. I HATED this product for the longest time. It's so different from my favorite Lush Mint Julip lip scrub, and I don't know why I didn't toss this in the garbage. Well, I'm glad I didn't, because I found the perfect use for this product: removing liquid lipstick.

As you can see from the photo above, I've hit pan. Almost time to make an order! One of the reasons I hated this product was that it's so oily, and it would break down liquid lipsticks when I tried to put them on after exfoliating with this. In case you didn't know, liquid lipsticks are oil based, and that's why they have amazing staying power. If you're scrubbing your lips with cleanser and water trying to remove liquid lipstick, stop! You need an oil based product to remove those quickly. This Buttercream scrub is packed with shea butter, almond oil, avocado oil, and Vitamin E oil, so it's perfect.

My last irresistible products of the month were the Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet and Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. Used together, these high end products are amazing for anyone looking for a little moisture. This brand is from France, so you know it's good. I'm still working on my sample size of the serum that I received for my birthday at Sephora, but the sample sorbet is long gone. The pink squeeze bottle pictured is the full size.

Undesirables  

There were only two products I didn't like during January. This first is the IT Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Radiance Fan Brush #116. I don't have a picture of this because it's in my locker at the gym, along with the only highlighting product it can apply. The ONLY products this demon brush can pick up are loose powders. I'm not kidding. Nothing else can be applied with this because the bristles aren't dense enough to pick anything out of a pan. I have no idea how this has a 4.1 star rating on Ulta's website.

Last and definitely least, we have a couple of Nest fragrances. These REEK!!! It's not the scents themselves, it's how strong they are. I used 2 spritzes of Citrene--one on my wrist and one on my neck--and I could still smell it in my hair after two days and a hair wash. The intensity of these are sickening. These were on clearance for $8, so I'm not losing a lot of money.

These are all of the products I loved and didn't love in January 2017! I can't wait to see what I loved the most in February. Thanks for reading 💕