October Favorites

Happy Halloween, y’all!! Can you believe tomorrow is November already?? October was a pretty long and slow month for me, but the fact that November is here just blows my mind. I mean, we’re getting into Christmas prep time and I don’t know if I’m ready for all that yet! I’ve been including a lot of randoms in my favorites posts lately, but this time it ended up being mostly makeup. Imagine that!

There are two home things I’ve really been loving and the first might seem a little silly to include, but it’s seriously made me so happy that I just can’t leave it out. I’ve always put my rugs in the washing machine and never had a problem until the last time I did it. One of the strings got caught on something and ruined four of the eight rugs I was cleaning. I don’t know why I’ve had such a difficult time trying to find replacements, but I have.

After about an entire month (maybe more) of searching, I finally found a set at Marshalls that met my standards. I love the way foam bath mats feel, but I never really like the way they look. This one is the exact cream color I was looking for and it has a little bit of a pattern to it so it’s not as boring. It came as a set for $20. I’ve purposefully been walking into the other bathroom just so I can step on these mats!
I mentioned in last week’s empties post that I’ve been trying to work my way through the backstock of candles that I had sitting around. I go through phases with candles and when the phase passes, the rest just sit there. This Target Signature Soy Roasted Chestnut candle has been sitting around since last Black Friday and I’m finally getting around to burning it. That line of candles has always been a hit or miss for me as far as how strong the scent burns and this one is definitely a hit. I believe this is in their permanent collection, but it’s perfect for Fall and very affordable!
The one fashion favorite I have from this past month are these Adidas tennis shoes. I’ve been wanting some black and white shoes like this for a while now, but wasn’t expecting to find these when I did. My husband actually pointed them out to me at Marshalls and for $35, I grabbed them right away! They’re slip ons, which have been my favorite style this past year or so, and they have a comfortable foam on the bottom. Marshalls has been having so many wins lately!
This Farmacy Beauty Green Clean Cleansing Balm came in this month’s Boxycharm and I was so interested in it. I’ve never used a cleansing balm before and wasn’t even sure what it would do. I honestly thought it was a little gimmicky at first, so I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when this removed my makeup better than anything else.

It is a little pricey ($32 for 3.2 oz) since I normally just use soap and water. I’m just so amazed at how well it removed everything, including mascara and my longest-wearing eyeliner. It also didn’t leave behind any uncomfortable residue, my skin felt very smooth and clean.
It’s pretty rare that I ever have brushes to mention as a favorite, but this month I have two! The Elf Contour brush has been in my collection for years and I just had to repurchase it because too many bristles had fallen out. I don’t know if they slightly changed the shape since I last bought it and maybe made the bristles a little softer, but I’m loving having a fresh one to use!

I’ve been messing around with different eyeshadow application techniques and started looking through my brushes to see what could work best. I found this Profusion Cosmetics brush that’s very similar to the Elf brush, but a little less dense. I have no idea where it came from and I can’t find it anywhere on their website. It’s such a shame because it really does work very well. It’s precise enough to only apply product exactly where you want to place it, while also allowing a little bit of movement to gently blend.
Elizabeth Mott isn’t a makeup brand that’s talked about very much and I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything from their line. I got a sample of the Thank Me Later Mattifying Face Primer and I’ve really been enjoying it. I wasn’t sure what to expect or how it was going to perform, but I’m impressed! It is very easy to blend into the skin and has a slightly smooth silicone texture. I’m still testing the wear time and whether it actually helps to control my oil, but I can immediately see it blurring my pores the second I blend it on the skin.
I can’t remember if I’ve ever mentioned this combo before, but this has been my favorite way to wear foundation lately. The L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation and the Real Techniques Face & Body Sponge were practically made for each other. I love both of these individually, but together they provide the most flawless finish on the face that I’ve seen in a long time. With one layer, I get full coverage that actually looks like skin and lasts all day without feeling cakey.
If I’m not wearing that combo, I’m wearing the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Powder Foundation. This has been a consistent favorite of mine all year long and I’m still completely obsessed with it. This is what I reach for when I need to get ready fast because it acts as my foundation, concealer, and powder all in one. I apply it with the provided sponge and it’s still going strong.
It’s happening! I’m finally including the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in a favorites. I have to be the last beauty blogger in the world to try this powder and now I’m just obsessed with it as everyone else. I never understood how a simple powder could make such a difference, but I get it now.

Believe me when I say this makes it look like you’re walking around with an Instagram filter on your face. It’s magic! I know this is a little pricey, but if you can find the travel size that’s what I would recommend. A little goes a long way, so I’m expecting this small tub to last me a while.
Blush toppers weren’t really my thing until I got this Laura Geller Baked Blush in September’s Boxycharm. It’s a beautiful blush, but there’s just a little too much glow in it for me to be able to use it on it’s own. The colors in this Tropic Hues shade are so versatile, I’ve been able to layer it on top of any other blush and it provides such a subtle, healthy glow to the cheeks without emphasizing my pores or oily skin. There’s a reason this is one of their best selling products!
Aside from those few face products, the Revolution x Emily The Needs palette has been one I’ve continued to reach for consistently all month. I love all the shades Emily chose to include in this palette and the quality is phenomenal. I also reach for this palette a lot of times just because the mirror is so handy and it has so many basic shades that can compliment any other look I’m doing.
The Wants palette, which is the sister palette of The Needs, has also been getting a ton of love all month. There’s so many shades in this palette that I can do something different every time and never get bored. It can go in so many different directions, which means it can match any outfit I’m wearing throughout the week. The quality is just as good in this as it is in The Needs and the creamy formula lasts all day on my eyes. Come back on Friday for a full review of this palette!
If I’m not using either of those palettes on my eyes, I’ve been reaching for a few of my Makeup Geek eyeshadows a lot recently. I even have been using them so much, I had to switch up the pans in my magnetic Ofra palette! The three I’ve been loving specifically are Creme Brulee, Cocoa Bear, and Tuscan Sun. The warm browns pair so beautifully with this dusty pink. Stay tuned for a tutorial featuring these shadows coming up next week!
The last favorite I have to mention is the Kat Von D Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade Lovesick. This is another Boxycharm product that I received this month and I’ve been so impressed with it. I don’t normally like matte liquid lipsticks, or really any matte lip product, but this formula is so lightweight and comfortable. It dries down very quickly and almost feels like a soft powder on the lips. I do layer a light lip balm underneath to keep my lips moisturized and I’ve even had a few times where I’ve forgotten I had any lip product on at all!
It’s been a while since I’ve had so many beauty products to share in a favorites, that means it must have been a really good month. I’ve really been so impressed with that cleansing balm and the Laura Mercier powder. I can’t believe such a simple powder can make that big of a difference on the skin!

If you have any questions about anything I mentioned, please feel free to leave them for me in the comments section below. Have you tried any of these products before? What were some of your favorites from this past month?

XO ♥ Christina ♥

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