Favorite lip balms

I love lip balms - always have since I was about 8 years old! I'm always trying out new ones. I'm not one of those women that constantly applies lip balm (but I love the tinted lip balms the best because it gives a hint of color, moisture, and sometimes a hint of gloss). I always choose lip balm over gloss b/c I don't really like the sticky feeling that some glosses have. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, get those lip soft enough for endless lovey-dovey kisses.

1) Fresh Sugar lip balm
I've talked about this one on this blog several times already. I love how soft and smooth this lip balm feels. The best part about this balm is that its not sticky, you don't have to stick your finger in it either. There isn't a gloss factor in the balm so men can also use this balm too.


2) EOS in Sweet Mint
LOVE this balm for the packaging, the texture, affordability, and convenience (get it at the drugstore!). The texture is smooth and great for those harsh cold winds! The packaging is super cute. I like the Sweet Mint flavor because the minty effect is nice and tingly yet not overpowering.















3) C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve
I have this in my professional kit and I apply this balm on my clients as part of the skincare routine right after moisturizing the face. This soft multi-purpose salve has a beautiful scent to it, a hint of gloss, and makes the lips super soft. If you have dried elbows, knees, fingers, this salve can help with the dry patches too! Cheaper than the Rosebud salve that everyone loves but works just the same (in my opinion better!) than the Rosebud salve. If you've tried the Rosebud Salve and don't like how glossy that balm is. Try this one. It isn't as glossy but still has a bit of gloss to it.

Beauty gifts to give the women in your life

Beauty gifts are a no-brainer to give women around the holidays as a main gift or a stocking stuffer. There are rules though. You don't want to give the wrong type of gift and there are a few things that are not good gifts to give unless you really KNOW the receiver. There are also gifts that are neutral that are enjoyed by both men and women that wouldn't offend the receiver. Think: Candles, Bath products, Lotions, Soaps, Lip Balms (non- shiny, non-sticky of course), Hair products, Tools: Combs, nail clippers, facial brushes, etc., and of course remember the packaging is important too.

Here are my favorite gifts for the women in your life.

1) Mom
My grandmother and mother taught me at a young age that skincare products is very important in maintaining a youthful skin as well as staying out of the sun.
I'm giving my mom some awesome beauty products..

Stila in the light palette
Retail $39

I am obsessed with Stila eyeshadows and this is a beautiful palette. Stila's eyeshadows are really long lasting and I always use it as a under eye make up base to make my eye make up last all day. The colors in this palette is beautiful!

I've taught my mother how to do make up several times but she always goes back to her way of doing make up (mom, if you're reading this - you better listen!) so this palette will be a fool-proof way of keeping the make up beautiful, youthful, and simple. I also like the no smudge eyeliner that comes with the palette.





2) Sister (younger sister)
My little sister is still in 8th grade and very much not into wearing make up. She does like to curl her lashes though, unlike me, she is blessed with gorgeous feathery long lashes.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Retail $19

The cult favorite eyelash curler among make up artists and beauty junkies alike. I've been using Shu Uemura eyelash curler for about 8 years and cannot see myself switching anytime soon unless there is an eyelash curler that is better for straight Asian lashes.

This would also make a great stocking stuffer!













3) Best Girlfriends

Anything that has really pretty packaging, universal, smells delicious, luxurious ingredients but doesn't break the bank... here are some of my faves. (Also great as stocking stuffers!)


Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Retail $22.50

Fresh came out with four colors that stem from this original in the past few years. However, this is the best one to get. With its luxe buttery texture, lemon-y scent, and pretty packaging - you can't help but constantly reapply dry winter lips with it.

I got my mother and my boyfriend's mother hooked on this lip treatment. It is really amazing! I also like that its not sticky or glossy so men can also use it.









Origins Peace of Mind on the spot relief
Retail $11

If you've ever set foot inside at an Origins store and the sales associates give you a temple massage with this product placed on your temples and behind your ears - you know that this stuff is so relaxing!

Give this to your overworked friends and coworkers!
Extra points if you pair it with a scalp massager...











Head massager by Kikkerland
Retail $3.99

I have a scalp massager and it is especially good when you've spent all day staring at the computer. The best part about this massager is that you don't have to rely on anyone else to massage your scalp.

A cheap thrill but the rewards are priceless!

"Pour some sugar on me"

Fresh is one of those luxury cosmetic brands that you love but not the price. Yet, you keep going back for more because their products smell and feel great. I picked up a concealer and the sugar lip treatment the last time I went inside the Fresh store in Soho. The sugar lip treatment is awesome, especially for this time of the year when the temperature drops and the wind chill is biting. The lip treatment is not sticky and feels smooth when put on the lips. It comes in a cute lipstick tube but this shouldn't deter the guys from purchasing this lip balm. My boyfriend uses this and likes that it isn't glossy or shiney or has any hint of color. This is great to put underneath a beautiful gloss or lipstick as well. The taste is their signature sugar. The ingredients that Fresh use in their products are sugar, rice, soy, water, etc. basically all-natural ingredients. This particular lip balm doesn't use petroleum so it doesn't feel like putting on vaseline on your lips. Next time you find yourself in biting cold weather and your lips are super-dry, you're going to want this product.