Favorite Things: December

Every month I’m going to share with you my five favorite beauty products!  If I could make it like Oprah’s Favorite Things and give all of my viewers my favorite products, I totally would.  But, unfortunately, I’m not Oprah.  I’m in college (and broke!) so cut me some slack.  Anyway, I use a lot of products, and I’m always testing out new things.  My favorites change pretty often.  I like to think it keeps me on my toes.

December has been an eventful month so my favorite things are simple and kept my beauty routine grounded.

1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick ($3.69)

In the winter, my lips get super chapped, and I hate regular chapstick.  So what’s a girl to do?  I have been obsessed with this cocoa butter chapstick because it’s really moisturizing, it tastes good, and it lasts for hours.  Not to mention, you can also use it on other dry areas of your skin (but I’d recommend getting another one for that).  For under four bucks, you really can’t beat this.

2. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Buffer ($7.50)

Even though I’ve been moisturizing my lips like crazy, they still crack and peel.  This lip buffer is perfect for exfoliating your lips without hurting them.  It’s made with peppermint, shea butter, and cocoa butter and has sugar crystals for exfoliation.  Not only does it taste amazing (note: do not eat no matter how tempting…oops!) but it makes your lips feel super soft after.  After you use this, you can use the cocoa butter chapstick!

3. Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Moisturizer ($14.99)

Winter really takes a toll on your skin, and while mine is oily it still dries out a lot in the cold weather.  Usually, Cetaphil’s moisturizers are heavy and leave me feeling greasy, but this one is great to apply right before bedtime.  I don’t know what they did, but it’s working!  If you have oily skin like me, I wouldn’t recommend using this during the day.  It seems to balance out my skin overnight and allows me to use a light moisturizer in the morning.  This would be perfect for anyone with really dry skin or eczema.

4. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($30)

I have been in love with this finishing powder for months.  It’s become a staple in my beauty arsenal, and I’ll never set my makeup with anything else.  Most setting powders last for four or five hours, but this one lasts me all.day.long.  Literally.  I’d say 8+ hours on this one.  It seems expensive, but I’ve had the same .35 oz jar for seven months, and I still have about a quarter of it left.  You really get your money’s worth.  Plus, it keeps my makeup on all day, so I don’t have to touch up at all.  Really it’s saving me money.  It’s been a lifesaver to be honest, especially in the summertime when my makeup usually melts off my face.

5. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector ($49.50)

If you claim to have perfectly even skin, then congratulations.  But for those of us with spots, whether they be acne scars or sunspots, it’s really difficult to find something to get rid of that.  This serum (that’s what I’m calling it) is amazing!  I’ve been using it for two weeks now and my dark spots have faded significantly.  I can only imagine what it will do in two more weeks!  It’s a little high for my budget, but I really think it’s worth it if you’re suffering from dark spots like me.

What were your favorite things this month?