The Cosmo Awards: Best of Beauty 2014!

I really wanted to get this post up before the start of the new year but better late than never! As I work in cosmetic sales and represent various high-end brands, I'm fortunate enough to try just about every product you can think of. As a makeup collector, my love for cosmetics seems to grow deeper each year. While one of my major new year resolutions is to "shop my own stash" as much as possible and to purchase only when necessary, I still have to share my 2014 faves! Without further ado, here are the beauty products that I enjoyed the most this year!


MAKEUP

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Eyeshadow: MAC/Gucci
Eyeshadow Palette: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette/LORAC Mega Pro

Eyebrow Pencil: Clarins (Shade 02)
Eyebrow Powder: Billion Dollar Brows
Eyebrow Gel: Benefit Gimme Brow/Anastasia Beverly Hills (Tinted)/Billion Dollar Brows (Clear)
Eyebrow Product: Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade

Eyeliner Pencil: Urban Decay 24/7
Eyeliner Liquid: Lancome 24H

Mascara: L'Oreal Miss Manga/L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes/Tarte Lights Camera Flashes

Concealer Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer
Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
Foundation: Urban Decay Naked/Dior Star
BB Cream: Dior Diorskin Nude
Face Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer

Blush: Charlotte Tilbury/MAC
Bronzer: NARS Laguna/Benefit Hoola
Highlighter: Chanel Holiday/Becca Moonstone/Hourglass Ambient/Bobbi Brown Holiday Shimmer Brick Copper Diamond

Powder: MAC Studio Fix/Gucci/Chanel Les Beiges/Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Reserve Your Cabana
Translucent Setting Powder: Tarte/Makeup Forever
Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter/Chill

Prep Spray: Evian
Contour: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit/NARS Laguna

Lip Balm: Burt's Bees/Chanel Hydra Beauty Balm/Maybelline Baby Lips
Lip Exfoliator: Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub
Lip Liner: Urban Decay/Milani/MAC
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury/Gucci/MAC/Chanel
Lip Gloss: Revlon HD/L'Oreal Colour Riche/Maybelline Elixir/Clarins Instant Light
Lip Product: Liquid Lipstick- Shiseido, Various Brands/YSL Volupte Sheer Candy

Eye Brush: MAC 217
Face Brush: Crown Brush Fan/it Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush/Real Techniques Blush Brush
Tool: Beauty Blender Sponge/Stainless Steel Mixing Tray


SKINCARE

Makeup Remover: Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover
Cleanser: Clarins Water Comfort One Step Peach Cleanser/Bioderma/Dove Beauty Soap
Toner: See Softener
Softener: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resit Enriched Softener
Serum: Shiseido Future Solution
Moisturizer (Day): Clarins Hydraquench Gel
Moisturizer (Night): Shiseido Future Solution
Eye Serum: Clarins Extra Firming
Eye Cream: Clarins Super Restorative Eye Cream/Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream/Shiseido Future Solution
Neck: Clarins Extra Firming Neck Cream
Exfoliator: Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
Shower Gel: Philosophy/Victoria's Secret/Bath & Body Works
Bubble Bath: Philosophy
Body Lotion: Clarins Moisture Rich/Clarins Extra Firming
Body Oil: Clarins Tonic Oil
Mask: Sheet Masks (Epielle/Shiseido)

HAIR

Shampoo: Pantene Moisture Renewal
Conditioner: Pantene Moisture Renewal/Macadamia Deep Repair Mask/Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
Hair Oil: Orofluido


NAILS

Nail Polish: OPI
Base Coat: Butter London
Top Coat: Dior Gel Top Coat
Remover: Chanel/Anything!


OTHER

Fragrance: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black/YSL Manifesto/Gucci Guilty
Deodorant: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist
Toothpaste: Crest 3D White
Candle: Diptyque Feu de Bois
Tweezers: Tweezerman/Billion Dollar Brows
Etc: Shiseido Cotton (for makeup removing, cleansing, softener, nail polish removal...)














Now Playing: "Lights and Camera" by Yuna
*Perfect song for such a vain post ;)

Seasonal Selections

• UGG Slippers & Snuggly Soft Socks
• Gucci Guilty Perfume
• Fairy Lights
• Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
• Red Lips! Urban Decay 69 Pencil & Lipstick
• Leather- Hats, Accessories, Accents, Decor...
• Houndstooth Outerwear- Coats, Capes, Scarves...
• HBO- Ja'mie: Private School Girl, True Detective, Real Time, Girls...
• Penguins Hockey
• Red Wine (Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab)
• St. Nikolaus Bock Bier
• Bing Crosby Records

Now Playing: "Kites" by Geographer
*Love this song so much. Such beautiful sounds.

Recently Purchased

1. MGMT at Stage AE.
I've been a fan of MGMT since I was in college but have yet to see them live. I'm thrilled that they're finally playing a show in Pittsburgh. I'm going with one of my favorite girls so it should be a fun Monday night on the North Shore.

2. Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation.
At 27, I've finally decided that my skin needs a decent liquid foundation. I always cringe when I see young girls slathering on foundation because the look of their natural skin is exactly what this sort of product is designed to give. But with a bit of age comes slight redness and uneven tone. I was determined to find a foundation that actually matched my porcelain skin (not surprisingly, I went with the lightest shade .5), felt virtually weightless and was buildable but still natural-looking. It's actually really hard to find a good foundation when you're as fair-skinned as me and have somewhat dry skin. But Urban Decay Naked Skin seems to be delivering on all fronts. I'm so pleased with it! I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for light-medium coverage and a naturally radiant finish.

3. Disaronno.
Sure, it takes 10 drinks to get you buzzed but damn, is it tasty! I've mostly been drinking beer and wine for the past several years- so much so that I forgot how much fun liquor is. Amaretto Sours were always my choice mixed drink in college. It's also delicious with Ginger Ale. I down them like it's water. Disaronno has regained a permanent status on my bar cart. Mmmm! Pass the pleasure around ;)

4. Benefit Cosmetics Primed for Lovin' Gift Set.
This is a pretty good value. Of course, I'm a sucker for packaging and love the tin with the ginger artwork. I haven't decided what I'm going to use it for but it will surely get put to good use. This set includes a full size of High Beam (highlighter), They're Real (mascara), The Porefessional (primer) and a deluxe size of the Sugarbomb lipgloss. This would make an excellent gift for the gal in your life who loves makeup.

5. Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette.
I've been having fun with this release. It includes an array of easy to blend eyeshadows as well as a duo-sided brush. The beautiful packaging reminds of an antique jewelry case. Urban Decay is absolutely one of my favorite brands of makeup. I also picked up their limited edition eyeliner set. The 24/7 pencils are hands down, the best on the market. I have just about every shade they've ever released but I don't regret buying any of them. This would also be a nice present for the holidays.

6. Nostalgia in Vogue.
I adore these coffee table books. It's nice to flip through them on a rainy day. I've mentioned it many times that books are one of my favorite things to decorate with. They add such a unique splash of personality to your home. Many people joke about opening someone's medicine cabinet when they're at a new friend's house. I head straight to the bookshelf and music collection.











Now Playing: "Nobody Knows" by Pastor T.L. Barrett & The Youth for Christ Choir
*Such a good one!

Recently Purchased

1. Guerlain Meteorites Pearls (Rose) and Brush.
I've really been getting into the notion of quality over quantity and trying to edit down my makeup collection. I love the weight of this product. It's beautifully packaged and so well made. I could easily repurpose it for trinket storage when I'm through with the makeup or even hold onto it as a keepsake to be passed on. Guerlain is the best of the best.

2. The xx Concert Tickets at Stage AE.
I haven't seen them since Bonnaroo a few summers ago. I'm so excited! They're one of my favorite groups. Such beautiful music. They've become quite popular but if you haven't heard of them, check out "Intro", Crystalised", "Islands" or "Together."

3. MUJI Acrylic 5-Drawer Organizer.
I purchased one of these a couple years ago and really like it for storing my lip glosses. I don't really have the counter space for another one at the moment but I know around the holidays they tend to go out of stock and are slow with delivery. I bought an additional unit because my eyeliner collection has grown substantially. I want to be able to see every piece that I own. I highly recommend the MUJI drawers. They are sturdy, smooth and overall fantastic. If I ever have more space, I might invest in The Clear Cube for storing a great deal of my entire makeup collection but for now, these things are lightweight and efficient.

4. Steelers/Patriots Game Tickets.
I'm so excited to go to Boston for the first time! Per usual, Halloween weekend should be quite memorable. I look forward to our annual Steeler away trip all year long. This one will also be a blast. I haven't decided what I'm going to be yet or if I'm even going to dress up in a costume at all but I'm thrilled to finally see Salem and other parts of New England.

5. The September Issue. Vogue.
Well, technically I have a subscription so I didn't buy this at the newsstand. But every year for as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed a glass of wine (or a few) and reading this. I have a collection of September issues that I'm always looking to build upon. This year, one of my favorite actresses is on the cover, Jennifer Lawrence. I adore her real life sense of humor and loved her in Silver Linings Playbook.

6. A Blank Canvas.
As mentioned above, I've been trying to scale down a number of things in my life. One that has gotten desperately out of control is my nail polish collection. I had amassed nearly 500 bottles. I told myself I would never let it go above that number so I've donated many bottles, given some to friends and family and put others away to sell. When I get my collection whittled down to where I'm comfortable with it, I plan on painting a swatch mural. One of the reasons I love polish so much is because they remind me of miniature works of beauty. Art in a bottle. I'm very open-minded (as you'd have to be to acquire so many different colors) and love to look at all of the different shades, textures and shapes.

7. Shiseido Wrinkle Resist 24 Night Emulsion.
I've really been appreciating Japanese beauty products. Their quality and packaging are among the best in the world. They pay such close attention to detail. I wish I could go to one of their drug stores or spend time inside their shops. I actually got a Japanese Maybelline Hello Kitty mascara on eBay because I found it so precious. Americans can be so square when it comes to presentation. I really like Shiseido's skincare line. I still have their Future Solution cream on my wish list but for the time being, I'm trying out their Wrinkle Resist 24 range of products.

8. Urban Decay Glitter Liners.
As much as I love makeup (eyeliner in particular), I've only owned one or two glitter liners. I tried out Urban Decay's Spandex and fell in love. I picked up that along with Mullet, Midnight Cowboy and Stagedive. This is stunning for the evening!
















Now Playing: "Junk of the Heart" by The Kooks
*Wish they'd come back to Pittsburgh. Luke Pritchard stole my heart.

Nail Me

Even though Summer is winding down, I thought I'd share my Summer nail polish picks that I neglected to post earlier. As you can see from my collage, I've really been enjoying blues, teals and metal based polishes this season.

Top Row:

Essie Bikini So Teeny: This beautiful periwinkle shade with slight silver shimmer is a stunner. A must-have for any collection.

Chanel Bel Argus: A gorgeous metallic blue that could work year-round. I love this!

Pop Jade Metal: I'm actually wearing this one right now. I picked it up on HauteLook and I'm glad I did. It's a very unique mint green metal.

Essie Turquoise and Caicos: This is a classic that always provides many compliments. This is a favorite among many nail polish addicts and it's easy to see why. The jelly-like formula is also a dream. One of my best.

OPI My Vampire Is Buff: This is actually a repeat from my Spring picks. I didn't mean to choose the same color but this is just a generalization. I'm loving all whites and creams. They also play really well with glitters.

Bottom Row:

Orly Orange Punch: I don't actually own this shade but I picked it because it represents something every girl should have- a neon orange! I have quite a lot of oranges (Julep makes great ones, OPI A Roll in the Hague, Essie Capri, Color Club Lava Lamp to name just a few).

Chanel Azure: I was really excited to get this one. It's another gorgeous metallic. It's an original blue/green shade that reminds me of a tropical island. Love!

Urban Decay Addiction: This might be my favorite packaging/bottle out of all of my polishes. The chrome skull at the top is very Alexander McQueen. The color and even the name is right up my alley. This is a limited edition item so be sure to snag it while you can.

Orly Preamp: This is a happy polish for me. I just smile when I look at it. The pinkish lavender hue with gold shimmer is uncommon yet attractive. I don't think I own anything else that's similar in my collection.

OPI When Monkeys Fly: I've been loving gold glitters with holographic particles. Deborah Lippmann Glitter and Be Gay is one that I'm anxious to get this week. This goes nicely over whites and other golds. It will carry over beautifully into the fall and holiday season.

Now Playing: "The First Cut Is The Deepest" by P.P. Arnold
*The original!

Recently Purchased

1. Amrita Singh Park Avenue Shoulder Bag.
I have this bag in black and decided to get the fun neon green shade for Summer. The color is striking. I got this on sale on HauteLook (like I seem to have gotten everything over the past couple of years). The construction of the bag is very good (especially for the price). I get lots of compliments and people think that it's genuine leather. The minor problem I have with the bag is the interior lining is a cheap nylon material. I prefer a cloth or leather lining but you get what you pay for. The major problem I have with the bag is it picks up the ink/dye transfer from everything and anything it comes in contact with- cotton, dirt, dust, invisible particles, etc. I've only worn this a few times but the back of it and the straps look like it's 15 years old! :( I'm trying to find a product I can spray on the bag to prevent this from happening (or find something that will wipe the grime off). Any suggestions would be much appreciated! This is a beautiful purse and I want to be able to wear it without looking like I took it on a field trip to the Steel Mill in 1963 and never changed bags again.

2. Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil.
Summer has that tendency of delivering hot weather. This miserable fact requires less clothing which in turns requires baring more skin. Enter this lovely product. After I shower and my skin is still damp, I apply this alone or mixed with my moisturizer to my entire body. Not only does it have aromatherapy benefits (also works well for the bath) but it leaves skin soft and toned.

3. Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Zodiac.
The name of this shadow definitely sold me but the color is stunning. If you have hazel or dark green eyes like me, this is the perfect shade for you! I like to use it over Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue to prevent fallout. What's nice about this product is you can softly apply it over a lighter shadow for added dimension (looks brilliant over MAC Retrospeck) or build it up on its own for a deeper, more sultry look.

4. Starbucks.
Not so noteworthy, huh? Wrong! I had my first drink from Starbucks EVER this month! I might have been the last 27-year-old girl in Pittsburgh to try something from the famous chain. Sure, I've been to the coffee giant before with friends but never ordered anything. I don't drink coffee. But I do like a refreshing beverage and if you tell me it'll give me added natural energy, I'll give it a shot. I definitely recommend the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher. At only 70 calories, it's a guilt-free pick-me-up.

5. DV by Dolce Vita Archer Sandal.
I snagged a few of these on sale and I'm pretty happy with them. They're quite stylish for the price tag. They look much more expensive than they were and go with everything.

6. Kate Spade Earrings.
Also on sale, I hoarded quite a few pairs of these gems. I've received lots of compliments from admirers who  thought they were precious stones. Beautiful pieces for a steal!











Now Playing: Coast to Coast AM
*They're talking Kecksburg and UFOs!

February Favorites!

EOS lip balms. I love these little spheres. They are super cute and quite addicting but I fear that I'm in lust with its packaging rather than the product itself. Honeysuckle & Lemon are my current favorites but I have yet to try the Mint!

Vera Wang Perfume. I've had this fragrance for awhile. I got it on sale at Marshall's- score! Maybe that's why I have neglected it and treated it like it wasn't as good as some of my finer fragrances. Nevertheless, in February, I grabbed this one quite a lot. Maybe because Vera is synonymous with weddings and I've been preparing for my friend Maggie's March nuptials.

My favorite piece of jewelry this month (and one of my favorites for a lifetime) were the earrings my mom got me for my 25th birthday on the 1st. They are green amethyst and diamonds and so beautiful! They are subtle enough to wear in the daytime but are unique and beautiful enough for evenings. They go well with just about anything. I LOVE them!

Revlon Perplex nail polish. It's basically an exact dupe for Chanel's Paradoxal. I got it for a dollar at Big Lots! I have been on a purple/lavender kick all month long. Purple reminds me of February because it's still winter, Amethyst is my birthstone, it's close in the color family to reds (Valentine's) and because when Spring finally rolls around, it's all about lavenders and light pastels. I loved wearing this polish in February and can't wait to wear it again in the fall.

February in Pittsburgh is notorious for nasty weather. While we were fortunate enough to have a splash of Spring temps, there was definitely a lot of rain and snow this month. That's when my KORS Michael Kors rainboots came in handy! I ordered them from shopbop.com on sale as a birthday gift with intentions of wearing them to Bonnaroo but I've been getting a lot of wear out of them. I have a hard time finding boots that fit me nicely but I couldn't be happier. They remind me of Daria Morgendorffer's combat boots but with a splash of Quinn's fashion sense, lol!

I purchased quite a few lipglosses this month but I kept reaching for Revlon's ColorBurst Lipglosses in Hot Pink, Orchid and Crystal Lilac. These lipglosses are creamy, non-sticky, pigmented and affordable. The packaging is so beautiful and I like them better than my Chanel glossimers!




This month I have been experimenting with blush. I have used the same few shades of blush for year's but lately, I have tried a few new ones. I saw one of the beauty gurus on YouTube apply MAC's Pink Swoon and thought it looked great. I bought it for myself and I love it! It's very subtle but gives a nice brightness to the face. I love it!

I asked for the Urban Decay Naked Palette for my 25th birthday and I'm sooo happy that I scored the last one at my Ulta. I got the original packaging with the duo-sided 24/7 eyeliners and they are amazing. The colors do have a bit of glitter fallout, but if you can get passed that it's so worth it. I've never used Urban Decay before but I am now a devoted fan. If I had to use one eye palette for the rest of my life, Naked would be it! The whiskey eyeliner looks amazing against my coloring, the baby primer potion is fantastic and the colors are so versatile. I can't recommend this product enough to any girl who loves a natural eye with a little bit of glamour!

My favorite lipstick this month was Chanel's Aqualumiere in Galapagos (101). I'm all about finding the perfect shade of pink. This just might be it! It's formula is like butter and the color is subtle yet chic.

NARS Albatross was one of the first products I splurged on from the company and this month, I couldn't have been happier with my purchase. This is such an excellent quality highlighter. I use it to highlight my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, my cupid's bow and even my brow bone. It's on the pricer side but a little goes a long way!

My favorite fashion/beauty moment of February was Selena Gomez in J. Mendel at the Grammy's. I adore this look in its entirety. The dress is gorgeous, the face is fresh, the hair is fabulous. I want that lipstick/lipgloss... need to find out the brand!

My favorite beer of the month was Samuel Adams' Noble Pils. I had this during happy hour after my friend's bridal shower. And a happy hour it was! Delicious!

My favorite YouTube Channel of the month was WinterRose84. She's a beauty guru from Australia who is fair-skinned like me. She has such a beautiful accent and I could listen to her talk for hours about her massive and enviable nail polish collection (she must have 400 bottles of OPI alone). She also has more Lancome Juicy Tubes than I have ever seen in my life! But she seems like a sweet girl who just loves to collect makeup. Check her out!

My favorite movie of the month was Conviction starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell. This film came out in the fall but I didn't get to see it until it was released OnDemand. I thought it was excellent! It was so interesting and well-acted that the movie felt like it was only 30 minutes. You know you're watching a good movie when you don't look to see how much time is left! It was based on a true story and it was very inspiring! I highly recommend you watch this if you haven't done so already.

My favorite song of the month was hands down, "Lotus Flower" by Radiohead. I have listened to this on repeat countless times. It doesn't get old for me. I think the video is interesting as well but the song- wow. It's gorgeous. I just LOVE it!

25th Birthday Haul!

My yummy cake! I blew all the candles out in one puff (well, with the exception of the 1 for good luck). You know you're getting old when you need 2 boxes of candles!
Yesterday, I had a very nice 25th Birthday! Since it fell on a rainy, Tuesday, I spent the day opening presents and hanging out with my family. At night, my sister and I went to the Cheesecake Factory and to see Black Swan at the movies. Today, my parents are taking me to dinner and this weekend, I'm going out with my friends to celebrate at the bars. Sunday is the Super Bowl, so hopefully my birthday week will cap off with a victory! I was really surprised at how many people wished me a happy birthday! It was so nice to hear from everyone :)

I got a few really nice gifts from my parents and my sister! But since I haven't officially launched my YouTube channel, I thought I'd do a haul blog instead.

My Dad got me the Canon Vixia HF M31 video camera! It's so lightweight and compact! I haven't had a chance to play around with it yet but it has great reviews and I think I'm going to love it! I'm going to use this camera to film my YouTube videos- so, no more excuses! As soon as I get down to my normal weight, I'll start filming! My Dad also got me a laptop case- much needed!


One of the things my Mom got me is something I really wanted. Since I turned 25, I wanted a keepsake that would remind me of this time in my life. My birthstone is amethyst but I didn't want a traditional purple stone. I saw green amethyst online and fell in love. It's also called praseolite. It's a very light green stone. My mom got me a gorgeous pair of earrings from one of the jewelers in downtown Pittsburgh! They are so sophisticated yet simple. I can wear them with just about anything! I LOVE them and will hopefully have them forever!


My sister knows how much I love make-up, so she got me some products and brushes from MAC! I'm really excited to finally have Satin Taupe (eyeshadow). It's the perfect neutral shade! She also got me some of the new, Revlon Colorburst lipsticks and lipglosses! They are one of my favorite products right now! Such a great value! I also got the Urban Decay Naked palette! I thought for sure it would be sold-out (as usual) but my Mom said she scored the last one at Ulta. It's the older set that includes the duo eyeliner not the brush! This made me so happy since I know they changed the packaging!



I also ordered a pair of KORS Michael Kors rain boots that arrived on my birthday! I got them from ShopBop.com on sale! I thought they were super cute and since it was raining on my birthday, I wore them out to dinner. They kind of remind me of Daria Morgendorffer's combat boots but they are still adorable. I think they will be perfect for all of the mud at Bonnaroo in June!

Stow Lace-up Rubber Boots

I'm so grateful for all my gifts and I'm excited to see what this year has in store for me! :)

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Fancy" by Drake