January 2014 | Products of the Month

In this post I discuss some of the beauty products that I've been loving this month.

Since it's been so cold here in New York (thanks to the "polar vortex") a lot of these products are perfect for dealing with the harsh winds and chilling temperatures that have been plaguing us this month.

So, in no particular order, here are my favorite products for January 2014: 

  1. Maybelline: Baby Lips Lip Balm

Brand: Maybelline

Name of Shade: Pink Punch

Color: Frosty Pink

Finish: Sheer

Formula: Balm

Lasts for: 2-4 hours (color & lip protection)

Moisturizing: Yes

Sticky: No

Pros: It goes on super soft and creamy and the color is a beautiful frosty pink.

It moisturizes and soothes chapped lips and the scent really is similar to fruit punch. 

It's perfect for this time of year and it comes in a variety of tints and scents, there really is something for everybody. It is reasonably priced as well. 

Cons: It is basically a glorified lip balm, but in a good way.

  

2. ThermaFuse: HeatSmart Serum - Dry Oil Treatment

Brand: Thermafuse

Line: Heatsmart Serum

Product: Dry Oil Treatment

Formula: Oil

Use: Protect Hair from Heat Styling

When to Apply: After Washing & Conditioning, to Damp Hair

Pros: This product is just amazing! 

It helps stop frizz and hydrates hair. It also protects hair from the damage of heat styling. 

I've been using it for a couple of years and absolutely adore it!

I would never use a hairdryer without applying this product first. 

I use it after I wash and condition and then apply a few pumps of it to damp hair from ends to midway up (I avoid the roots because it makes my hair too oily) and then blow dry. 

It always makes my hair super shiny and soft.

The scent is kind like a light cotton candy meets vanilla, so wonderful. 

Cons: Exclusively sold at salons (and online) so it is pricey, but definitely worth it. 

3. Dove: Cream Oil - Intensive Body Lotion  

Brand: Dove
Product: Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion
Line: Cream Oil
Formula: Lotion (Extra Dry Skin)
Lasts for: 8+ Hours

This weather is so rough on skin, and dry skin can feel itchy and tight.
This lotion totally takes care of that.

I have tried a lot of lotions to deal with dry skin this season, and this one wins hands down.

Pros: It is super rich but doesn't feel sticky or heavy on the skin. It has a lovely scent as well. 
And it comes in such a large bottle, which makes it a terrific deal.

Cons: One word of caution: Although it works well as a body lotion, if you're prone to face breakouts, keep this product away from your face and wash your hands after applying it to avoid accidentally touching your face.

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Brand: Maybelline

Product: Eyeliner

Name of Shade: Blackest Black

Color: Black

Finish: Matte

Formula: Gel

Waterproof: Yes

Lasts for: 10+ Hours

Pros: I am in love with this eyeliner! It is pure perfection. 

It goes on smooth and fluid like a liquid but with the precision (and less mess) of a gel. 

It doesn't smear or smudge at all. It literally stays on all day.

 It is truly is the "Blackest Black" I've ever used.

I bought a Smashbox gel liner for about $19 and it was good, but I think Maybelline's gel liner is just as good, if not better (and it only costs about $9).

For thin sophisticated lines or thick dramatic ones this liner does it all.

I prefer to use a fine liner brush instead of the brush that comes with it. Exquisite product.

Cons: None  

5. Bath & Body Works: PocketBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel 

Brand: Bath & Body Works

Line: PocketBac

Product: Hand Sanitizer 

Formula: Gel

Name of Scent: Warm Vanilla Sugar

With flu season upon us and other nasty viruses, it is a very good idea to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently -- your PSA for today 😜.

However, when you are at school or work or out and about it is not always possible to find a sink and scrub up. That's where this handy little guy comes in.

They sell hand sanitizers everywhere but I like BBW's because they are not as drying and they come in a ton of sweet scents. 

This Vanilla one reminds me of sugar cookies, Yum! 

6. Urban Decay: Feminine Palette

I won't say too much on this one because I give an in depth review of this palette here.

I'm still loving these shadows.

It looks like I've barely touched these but I use them almost everyday. That's how pigmented they are.

A little goes a long way. Amazing colors with amazing payoff. 

Those are some of the products I have been loving this month. 

What products have you been using lately?

Let me know in the comments below 😊

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Thanks for checking out this post

XOXO

Ultima Beauty

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Calvin Klein | CK One Mascara | Review

Calvin Klein does not just make a great pair of jeans and beautiful fragrances, they have quite the knack for makeup as well.

 The mascara that I have been using recently is CK One mascara in 800 Black.

The wand is supposed to be the big selling point with this mascara; however I'm still on the fence about it.

(Expanded brush)

The box says that the brush "expands and contracts" which it does, with some effort.

The brush is expanded and longer in it's natural state and when you "twist" the bottom of the cap it contracts and becomes smaller, to reach the shorter lashes .

(Contracted brush)

Quick Stats:

Name & Shade: 800 Black (true black)

Waterproof: No

Formula: Volumizing

Wand: Straight/Expanding & Contracting 

Lasts for: 8+ hours

Pros: 

Expanded: Using the wand when it is fully expanded gives amazing length to the lashes. No lash crullers required. It's like wearing false individual lashes, but obviously much less work and much more natural looking.

Contracted: When I have a bit of time, and patience to hold the cap to keep the wand fully contracted it gives such volume! It makes lashes look a lot fuller and more defined. 

The color is absolutely beautiful! It is one of the blackest mascara I've ever used, the color is just brilliant.

The formula is wonderful. It doesn't smudge and stays put all day. I have worn just this mascara and no eyeshadow or liner and still had a fabulous look. I also like the sleek design and packaging it comes in.

Cons: 

Expanding works perfectly because it requires no twisting, but the contracting is a little awkward.

To keep it fully contracted I have to hold the bottom of the cap tightly with two fingers while trying to grasp the wand with the remaining part of my hand, or else it will expand at its own will back to its longer, original shape. 

It doesn't lock into place. So using it in its smaller form is a little difficult, not impossible, but a bit of a nuisance.

It definitely is not waterproof (learned that the hard way) but that's okay because it doesn't claim to be. If you plan on having a good cry or watching Titanic you will probably want to wear a different mascara.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⋆ (4 out of 5)

Repurchase: Yes

Worth the Splurge: Yes, I get great results and a lot of use out of this mascara. And it comes in 5 different colors

Final Thoughts: 

All in all it is a very good mascara. Only downside is the wand; if the cap had been designed to lock when you twist it the product could be perfect. Terrific idea but poor execution. 

I almost always use it in its expanded, natural shape, only on the rare occasion do I attempt to maneuver the contracting function of the wand. 

I use it as a regular mascara and forsake the twisty cap 😉

What is your favorite mascara?

Leave a comment below!

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Check out my last post reviewing Urban Decay's Feminine Palette

Thanks for checking out my post!

XOXO 

Ultima Beauty

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Urban Decay | Feminine Palette | Review

The brand name 'Urban Decay' used to make me shy away from their products.
But when I saw this little beauty on sale at the check-out counter in Ulta, I couldn't resist.

 Now that I have tried some of their products I adore them! Especially this little palette. 

The exterior packaging is elegant with a bit of an edgy vibe.

The palette zips closed to keep the contents nice and safe.

 But what's inside is even more eye catching! 

First Impressions

It contains 6 eyeshadows and a travel sized Lip Junkie lip gloss.

The eyeshadows range from lighter colors like Bordello and Skimp to darker shades like AC/DC (beautiful in the crease of the eye), Gunmetal (perfect for smoky eye looks), Hijack and Lost 

The lip gloss is in the shade Wallflower.

The palette has a good sized mirror for on-the-go application. And the interior line design remind me of fishnet stockings.

My Thoughts on the Products

Eyeshadows:

Product: Eyeshadow palette

Shades & Colors:

Bordello (pearly, medium pink shimmer), Skimp (satin vanilla), AC/DC (purple-mauve shimmer),

Gunmetal (dark grey shimmer), Hijack (dark teal shimmer), Lost (metallic coppery-brown) 

Finish: Multiple: pearl, shimmer, satin, metallic

Formula: Pressed powder

True Pigment: Yes

Needs Layers: Not necessarily

Lasts for (without creasing): 4-5 hours without primer, 7-8 with primer

Fallout: Minimal

Blendable: Yes

Smooth Application: Yes

 Pros: These eyeshadows are very pigmented. The colors go on exactly the same shade as they appear in the palette.
 Cons: None.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)

Repurchase: Yes

2019 Update: Although this palette is no longer available, all of the eyeshadow shades, with the exception of Skimp (try UD Vanilla), are available in single eyeshadow pots.

Also:

Some say Urban Decay shadows have a lot of fallout or fall down (term depends on where you're from, but you get what I mean; shadow falling under the eye). I have to say I've noticed minimal to no fallout at all.

Whether you use a primer on your lids or not (I've tried both ways) these shadows stay on super well. Very pleased with them. I can see these shadows lasting me quite a while because they're so pigmented.

Lip Gloss: 

Product: Lip Junkie Lip Gloss

Shade & Color: Wallflower (Nude pink)

Finish: Glossy

Formula: Gloss

True Pigment: Yes

Last for: 1-2 hours

Pros: This comes in a cute little tube and the color suites almost any occasion. 

It goes on smooth and doesn't feel very sticky which is a plus. 

It has a soft mint flavor with a cooling sensation. 

Cons: Only downside is the scent; it has a chemically mint smell. However it's not a strong scent and it disappears fast.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⋆⋆⋆
Repurchase: No

Also:

 It says on the tube "Cools & Plumps" I have noticed the cooling sensation but not much plumping. When it fades it leaves a nice hint of color and doesn't dry my lips.

Final Thoughts

This little palette is so convenient and easy to carry. 

It provides the perfect range of colors to take you from day to night. And the price is a steal!

 A combination I like: Bordello all over the lid, Lost in the crease and Skimp on the browbone to highlight.

Overall Star Rating: I would give this product (shadows, gloss, palette) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⋆ (4 out 5 stars)

My love for Urban Decay is just beginning.
I keep drooling over the palettes and other products on their website.
What UD products do you love and why?
Drop me a comment 😀

Stay tuned for more reviews and makeup tutorials as well.

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Thanks for reading,

   XOXO

Ultima Beauty

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