Holiday season 2013 sets to covet

Holiday season is coming up and with that are all the amazing beauty sets that will adorn the shelves of your nearest Sephora. As a beauty junkie and product hoarder (aren't we all?), Sephora is one of my favorite stores to get lost in. I get a kick out of making a mess of my hands with all kinds of testers of eyeliners, lipsticks, lip glosses, glitter, skincare, perfume, etc.
I am excited about all the holiday sets that are coming out for the holidays. Some brands like Stila have unleashed their sets already. Here are some of my favorite ones that are coming out!

1) Stila's Tools of the Trade 5 piece 5 piece Luxe Brush Set
$28

2) Stila's Color Me Pretty Lip and Cheek Palette
$28









3) Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow
$32
Technically not a holiday set but I saw these at Sephora the other day and was super close to purchasing a couple pots of these metallic foil eye shadows. They would make the perfect holiday eye make up.

4) Urban Decay's Naked Nail Kit 
$12

5) Urban Decay's Black Market 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil set
$36

6) Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar: Metallic - in Black Metal Dahlia
$18

7) Smashbox Wonder vision lip gloss set
$24

8) Tarte's Pure Delights 8-Piece Lip Surgence set
$34



















All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here. 

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!

Christmas Wish List

I always drool at the products and gift basket beauty options that come out every holiday season. This season is no different. Here is my list...



1) Stila Holiday Dream Palette
How can you not love the presentation of this palette? All the colors, the packaging, and variety of eye shadows and blushes with an added bonus of an eyeliner.
This palette is $39.
This would also make an excellent beauty gift for the girl who loves make up.




















2) T3 Singlepass Whirl Wand

No this is not some kinky vibrating device. This is a curling wand that is perfect for longer hair to create beach sexy hair or classic finger curls. I love the T3 technology and my 1.5" inch flatiron is used for making big waves in my hair. T3 irons are the only ones that seem to be able to give me long-lasting curls on my slippery, super fine Asian hair.
Retails for $160 - I think this is a little steep but definitely cheaper than getting professional blowouts every time you want long-lasting beautiful curls.








3) Nagauta Kabuki Brush Set

How beautiful is this brush set!?!?! If I received this under the Christmas tree, I would feel like a refined Geisha performer applying make up for a performance every time I would use this. I love that this comes in a Bento Box and is held in place just so perfectly. NARS is one of my favorite make up lines ever!
$225 is the steep cost for this beauty but it is definitely well worth it to feel like a Geisha princess everyday :-)












4) White Gold Detoxifying Crystal Salt INA crystals

Bathing in white gold!?!? Wow. The ultimate luxurious bath.
"This deep penetrating detox bath contains minerals small enough to penetrate the cells and be absorbed to help the body expel internal toxins accumulated over time through pollutants in the air, alcohol and processed foods. The White Gold Crystal and the detoxifying essential oils of basil, fennel and juniper cleanse deeply whilst improving the sense of well-being." - Space NK besteller
This sounds great after a month of indulgence in food and drink.
Retails for $85








5) Muscle Relief Bath Soak Life NK

Ok, I said that this was going to be a wish list not a must-have list or an already-own list. I couldn't help myself but put this product on this list because I LOVE THIS BATH SOAK! I'm a sucker for Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary combination scents. I've been taking baths almost every day since the temperatures have dropped. I use this bath after rehearsal and I always feel so relaxed and start my wind down.
I have found my go-to bath product! (I also like Fresh's Sake bath but I'm not always in the mood to feel detoxified in a "ofuro" hot bath.)
Retails for $30 so its pretty affordable!