Makeup Wars: Last Minute Beauty Stocking Stuffers!

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Makeup Wars: 

Last Minute Beauty Gift Ideas: Stocking Stuffers

I am so glad that I am able to squeeze in one more Makeup Wars post before Christmas! Are any of you scrambling around to get last minute gifts? I don't know about ya'll, but I am! ;) I find that one of the easiest ways to put together a cute last-minute gift is to stuff a stocking with a "theme". You can literally hit your local Ulta, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS and get a cute stocking and have fun filling it up. So easy, right?! 

So, I am going to share some of my favorite picks for beauty stocking stuffers. Most of these items are easily available at your local drugstore, grocery store, Ulta, or big box store.

My Last Minute Beauty Stocking: Beauty Stocking Stuffer Ideas! 

Sally Hansen Holiday Collection:
Sally Hansen has some adorable sets as well as some specially packaged items for the Holidays! There are two box sets of polishes available and two scents of specially packaged nail and cuticle oils.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Mini Sets
Jazz up those tips and get jolly with the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure™ holiday collection of mini sets; quaint quartets of festive polishes in festive hues. The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure™ offers 7 benefits in 1 bottle, allowing you to skip the salon, for a party ready manicure. The chip-resistant polish with Keratin features all of the elements you know and need: base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, salon color in chic shades, top coat, and gel shine finish. The Complete Salon Manicure mini sets are ideal for stocking stuffers and holiday gift exchanges- or just a treat for a bit of self-indulgence.

I got to try out the purple set of 4 polishes in purple/cool toned shades. This set includes Rags to Riches, Devil Wears Nada, a Perfect Tin, and Gleame Supreme. I love coordinating my toes to my tips. So, this set gives me lots of options in super flattering shades!

These retail for $9.99 each.

Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil in Peppermint and Vanilla Buttercream
For a limited time only, Sally Hansen’s Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oils come in two delicious holiday scents. The oils are available in either tasty vanilla buttercream or refreshing peppermint. Indulge your senses with the creamy and merry aromas that celebrate the holiday spirit. Your cuticles and nails crave moisture and protection during the cold holiday season, so grab these Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oils for the perfect stocking stuffer gift. Enriched with a natural essential oil complex with Vitamin E, its formula leaves skin and nails feeling hydrated, soft, and healthy while helping to protect nails.

I also got to try the Peppermint scented Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil. OMG! I am obsessed with the Peppermint scent. So Christmas-y!!

These retail for $6.99 each.

Dermalogica PhytoReplenish Oil Giftable Ornament: 
Sometimes it can be hard to gift skincare...but, not when it is packaged like this cute little gift ornament from Dermalogica! This little skincare treat is the perfect skin pick-me-up during this time of year when the air is so dry.

Dermalogica's PhytoReplenish Oil contains powerhouse oils that replenish your protective lipids, restore your skin's barrier function, smooth lines while locking in moisture, and leaving you with antioxidant protection. That is a lot of protection from just a few drops of oil! Retails for $18.00.

Pixi Beauty:
Pixi Beauty has a ton of cute specially packaged skincare and makeup sets for the Holidays. I have a couple of the makeup sets that are perfect for stocking stuffers!

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Trio:
This is a set of 3 mini Endless Silky Eye Pens in shades ranging from dark brown to a light shimmery bronze. If you have never tried an Endless Silky Eye pen, then you are missing out! They glide on silky smooth while laying down impressive color. Plus, they are budge-proof! They are waterproof and they wear incredibly well. This set retails for $14.00.

Pixi Lid Lovelies Festive Eyes Palette:
This slim and sleek palette features 18 shades ranging from light to dark in an assortment of neutral tones. You can literally create unlimited looks with this easy-to-wear palette. The mineral formula is nicely pigmented and it blends well. Retails for $22.00.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque:
Ahhh...the holidays. Plenty of late nights, festivities, and indulging in food and drink. So, amp up your post holiday skincare routine with some facial masks! This Mint Julep Masque from Queen Helene is one that I always come back to. It is super inexpensive; yet, also it is super effective for clearing up your skin! I first discovered it when I was pregnant and used it as a spot treatment then. Now I love using it as a mask to deep clean my pores and prevent breakouts and skin congestion. The iconic Mint Julep Masque (now in new packaging) has been a staple in most drug stores for the last 20 years. Retails for $7.99.

L'Oreal Pure Clay Mask Detox & Brighten:
Here is another great drugstore facial mask! I love all of the L'Oreal Pure Clay masks. This Detox & Brighten formula does just that: it clears the pores and detoxes your skin with its charcoal and clay formula. It really draws all the gunk out of your pores. I feel consistent use of this mask can really improve your skin over time and decrease breakouts and congestion. Plus, my skin feels so smooth after using this! Love it! Retails for $12.99.

Covergirl Melting Pout Gel Liquid Lipsticks:
These award winning gel-formula liquid lipsticks are must-haves for any beauty lover. You get high-impact rich color with a smooth gel formula that has impressive wear. The shade range is from classic to bold and wild! Retails for $7.99 each.

SinfulColors Polishes and TopCoats:
Nail polish is a perfect stocking stuffer! I tried out an assortment of base colors and top coats from SinfulColors recent Punk Yourself Collection, which launched in October (available in ULTA). The five limited-edition Hypnotic Transforming Top Coats are so cool! You pair them with the core base colors to create unique and transforming layered looks. It is super fun to experiment with these. Plus, at $1.99 each, you can add a ton of these to a stocking! I find it super fun to experiment with nail color when I have time on my hands over Christmas vacation.

Here is a video that demonstrates how in one single brush stroke this innovative formula quickly transforms to create an instant melted, liquefied or dyed effect. The results are customized one-of-a-kind, individualized looks - each totally unique with each use!

Lip treats from Sara Happ:
Treat your pucker with some luxury lip products from Sara Happ. She has gift sets available for the Holidays or you can just toss in an assortment of her bestsellers like the Pump & Primp Lip Airbrush Lip Plumper, the Lip Slip One Luxe Balm, and the Exfoliate Lip Scrub. Such decacent treats for your lips and the packaging is beautiful...like a present! Sara Happ doesn't just have lip products...it is a true lip regimen. From plumping, masking, exfoliating, and protecting...the Sara Happ products will transform your lips. I haven't tried the Lip Mask yet nor the color products, but now that I am in love with these items, I am dying to try more from Sara Happ!

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil Deep Nourishing Conditioning Treatment:
Last, but not least, stuff the stocking with a hair mask! Cold weather really dries out my hair. Christmas vacation is the perfect time to take a little extra time in the shower with a hair mask treatment. The Marc Anthony True Professional Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment ($2.99 at Ulta) is a lightweight oil treatment that penetrates the cuticle to help nourish and hydrate your hair leaving it smoother and shinier, while protecting from splitting and breaking, allowing hair to grow longer, faster.

Be sure to scroll through the rest of my fellow Makeup Wars blogger's posts for Last Minute Beauty Gift Ideas:

Thanks so much for reading! Merry Christmas!!! 

Hope you get all of your gift shopping completed and hope you get a chance to relax and enjoy the season.  

Sending love and peace to you all! 

XOXO!!!

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Drugstore Finds: NEW Softsoap Luminous Oils Body Washes

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NEW Softsoap Luminous Oils Body Washes:

Raise your hand if you love using body washes! Yep, me, too! Body washes are a daily shower staple for me and my family. We go through them like crazy in my house between myself, my husband, and my kids. From luxury to drugstore price points, I don't discriminate. If it gets me clean, leaves me soft, and has a lovely scent, then it will be used and loved! 

Shopping for Body Washes:

Sure, I love a luxury body wash. However, most of the time, I pick up body washes at the grocery store or Target during my usual errands. You just can't beat that convenience nor the sales and good prices. These new Softsoap Luminous Oils Body Washes retail for only $2.97. You honestly can't beat that! 

Besides price point, I will fully admit that scent is one of the qualities of a body wash that draws me in and makes me want to use it. The NEW Softsoap Luminous Oils Body Washes are available in two scents: Avacado & Iris and Macadamia Oil & Peony. These formulas have just a touch of luxurious oil to leave it soft and smooth without feeling greasy. You get a fabulous lather with these body washes, too! 

Great scent, great price...pick one up if you are looking for a new affordable body wash!

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*Sample given to me for review purposes by Colgate-Palmolive

Great Smokey Eye Quads: Maybelline Smokes (Total Rave!)

Maybelline Smokes Collection

All these years...who knew that Maybelline made great eye shadow! Wow! Actually, from what I have read, Maybelline reformulated their eye shadows about a year (or so) ago. The "newer" formulations are apparently much higher quality and better pigmentation. I honestly had never tried Maybelline shadows in the past, so I cant really compare. But, if you have tried Maybelline shadows in the past, and were not pleased, then now is the time to try their new formulations. And, the great news is that these shadows always seem to be on sale somewhere! I found mine all for less than $4.00 each with coupons and store discounts. That's less than $1 for each shadow in a quad! Can't beat that!!!

I seem to really be looking more and more towards drugstore makeup lately. I used to be all about the High End lines like MAC, Stila, NARS, etc...and, don't get me wrong, I still *totally love and adore* those brands, but, hey...I am on a budget and just can't always afford those brands. They are expensive! Drugstore makeup is especially great when I want to try out a "new" or bold color or makeup trend. Plus, keep an eye out for coupons and combine them with in store sales, and you can get these drugstore items for insanely inexpensive prices. I seem to save "High End" purchases for special occasions now or very unique items or collectors products (like special edition palettes) or sets that are a good value...and face makeup (why stray from what I know works for foundation/powder/concealer).

What really caught my eye, and got me into trying Maybelline shadows was seeing their "Stylish Smokes" series. What a great idea to have every shade that you need for a quick/basic smokey eye in one little palette!!! I have not tried all of them. But, I will review what I have tried. I have the "Natural Smokes", "Amethyst Smokes", and "Charcoal Smokes" quads. I believe the only one that I haven't tried that is currently available is the "Emerald Smokes".

Swatched here, from left to right: Natural Smokes, Charcoal Smokes, and Amethyst Smokes

The quads are labeled with "lid", "crease", "brow bone", and "outer corner" stamped into the shadows for fool-proof application of a smokey eye. There is also a little diagram on the back to help you beginners. Great kits for makeup beginners! Now you can apply however you like, but I usually follow their recommendations. So easy! I don't use the sponge applicators (as usual) that come with the set. I apply with my own makeup brushes.

The Natural Smokes:
This is the stand out quad in this line. My fav of the three. For me it creates a beautiful and easy smokey eye that is daytime wearable. Absolutely beautiful! I love it that it contains both matte and shimmer shades. They all blend beautifully and work very well together! My go-to shadows for a brown smokey eye!

Charcoal Smokes:
This is a great quad for a dark smokey eye. On me, this wears best as an evening/going out smokey eye. Overall, the shadows are pigmented, especially the crease shade. I do wish that the black was more pigmented. Once you blend the black, it isn't as dark as I would like. But, overall, I like this quad.

Amethyst Smokes:
This quad is worth it for the beautiful duo chrome purple lid shade alone. This is such a complex color! It is a purple with a blue sheen. Totally beautiful! This kit creates a dramatic eye that is great for evening wear/going out. Can get quite a bold look with this quad. Tip: "Foil"(Foil=apply wet) the purple...it makes it more vivid.

Overall...a big rave for these great Maybelline Quads! Great pigmentation, great price, totally love them! :)

Hope you enjoyed reading. And, I would love to hear what Maybelline shadows you guys like!