Hi Dolls! The stroke of midnight always brings thoughts of what we will let go of and embrace in the new year. Bad habits, toxic people – be gone! Clean eating, less spending, weekly exercise come on in! These types of resolutions are great, but on a personal level, I believe everyday is an opportunity to reset. So, since this is a beauty and lifestyle blog, I thought I would skip the resolution-sharing and instead share my top 10 beauty beauty products from 2018, that I’m bringing in to 2019. (And the one that didn’t make the cut.)

So grab your favorite glass of bubbly – it is Champagne Sunday after all – and peep the deets below.

In my never ending quest to remove every drop of makeup before going to bed, last year I began trying cleansing oils. My go-to’s were Dermalogica Precleanse and Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil. Both work fine, but yet I still had traces of makeup and mascara. In a pinch I would repurchase one or both.

Enter a trip to Nordstrom during the Christmas holidays and a sample of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil. This elixir is everything! Not too thick, easily removes every trace of makeup and mascara, and the smell is heavenly – reminiscent of a spa.

Kiehl’s Migdnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil | $32

I suffer from super dry skin year around, and while Vaseline Intensive Care does the trick, I continue to look for something more luxe to moisturize. Laura Mercier’s Soufflé Body Creme has been around “foreva,” but I can’t remember the last time I’d tried or purchased any. I was gifted a jar of the Crème Brulee Soufflé Body Crème during the holidays and suddenly remembered what there was to love! Super luxe, moisturizing, with a sweet, but not overwhelming scent – Madame Mercier is now a 2019 must-have for me. I even grabbed one of the Soufflé Body Crèmes in chic mini sizes to keep in my tote, car and on my desk.

Laura Mercier’s Soufflé Body Crème | $65

I was introduced to Geo F Trumper Deodorant by my Step-Mom, Laurabelle, last year. There was nothing wrong  with my relibale Secret, but always open to trying a new product, started using the roll-on she gave me. One year later, I’m not going back. Extremely reliable without the smell of powder or spring flowers, Trumper has a spa-like scent with a blend of lemon, bergamot, orange and juniper. 

GEO F Trumper Deodorant | $11

I love eyeshadow, but prefer matte finishes, with the exception of a NARS Pasiphae, which I use daily as a shadow liner. Kat Von D’s Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette gives neutral, warm and cool tones that will take you from a daytime office look, to an evening smokey eye. The palette also contains a contour and highlighter. A bonus – it packs really well, sliding right into the pocket of my toiletry bag or my LV Toiletry Pouch 26 if I need to drop it in my tote during the day. Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette | $48

While we are on eyeshadows, the Urban Decay Nakeds2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette will also be a 2019 repurchase. True to self, Nakes2 is designed to create a matte eye. I’m embarrassed to say that I only purchase it for two colors. My current palette looks completely unused, with the exception of “Stark” and “Frisk.” Like the Kay Von D palette, the shadows are highly pigmented, buildable and long-wearing.

Urban Decay Nakeds2 Basic Eyeshadow Palette | $29

Dolls who know me, and have been following Pretty Domestic since the beginning, know my obsession with red lipstick. My must-haves – Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate or No. 99 and MAC Ruby Woo.

Neither shade is new to Dolls, but what makes them work is that they are true reds – or blue reds – and work with almost any skin tone. The difference in the two is that Chanel Pirate is moisturizing, while MAC Ruby Woo is matte. A good red lip automatically makes me feel unstoppable!

There’s nothing more unsightly than dry, chapped lips. I first learned of Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask from a beauty box subscription. Named to Glamour’s 208 Beauty Awards, this little pot of goodness truly works to moisturize your lips, without making them feel like they are sliding off of your face. Within days your lips will feel soft and kissable.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | $20

I admit, I was a masking fool in 2018 – I mean truly obsessed. I tried peels, sheets, clays, you name it. I realize that we all have our skin burdens to bear – mine are dullness, dryness and hyperpigmentation – so your choice of mask will certainly differ. Peep some of my go-to’s that deliver results.

Sephora Pearl Perfecting + Brightening Sheet Mask is mild as far a masks go, with a signature ingredient of pearl extract of natural origin, that works to fight dullness in the skin. With consistent usage my skin began to glow.

Sephora Pearl Face Mask | $6

I’m sure you’ve picked up the dry skin theme. My face hasn’t been spared. I supplement water drinking water with frequent use of hydrating masks. GLAMGLOW offers a mask for every skin ailment. I use their THIRSTY MUD Hydrating Treatment to give my skin a much need shot of moisture.

GLAMGLOW THIRSTY MUD Hydrating Treatment | $59

Another beauty box subscription introduced me to Deco Miami’s Lavender Cuticle Oil, which works wonders to put the final touches on a fresh mani or just in daily use. It’s a constant in my tote.

Source | TPD’s Nails

Deco Miami Lavender Cuticle Oil | $8

True confession. I am obsessed with YouTube beauty videos. One of my favorite YouTubbers is Lydia Elise Millen. A particular video featured these fabulously-handled foundation brushes. I was immediately intrigued, searched her description box and found Orchard Miles’ Artis Brushes. The Elite Oval Mirrored is perfect for applying foundation and setting powder all over your face. As a Doll who until then used her finger tips to apply my foundation, the handled brush kept my hands and mani clean while I finished my makeup. The application is flawless.

Real Techniques Blend + Blur Foundation Brush gives you the same look at more than half the price.

Orchard Miles Artis Brushes | $56

Dolls of a certain age know that skin loses it’s elasticity with time. The culprit, a reduction in collagen leading to the appearance of more wrinkles, as well as sagging and dull skin. There are all types of dermatological procedures that help with the appearance of fuller, vibrant skin. I am fan of a good procedure; but if you want something less invasive, try Hum Collagen Love Skin Firming Supplements.

Collagen Love contains a blend of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and types I, II, and III of collagen to support skin elasticity.

Hum Collagen Love | $40

The One that Didn’t Make the Cut …

This Miami-born Doll loves anything that remotely reminds me of the beach. For years I’ve been going into Sephora and looking at the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. Something about the packaging and the smell screamed summer, so I purchased a jar. I even grabbed the Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist.

Yes, it reminded me of summer and the beach. You know that coconut, sea breeze smell we crave, particularly during the long, cold days of winter. And yes, I liked the creamy consistency. But unfortunately, within an hour my skin was craving moisture. I may layer it with something else until it’s gone. But I won’t be repurchasing in 2019. Have you ever used this product? What was your experience?

What products will you bring into 2019? Leave me a comment.

Until then, keep sharing the pretty,

L.

The Pretty Domestic