This 'do-everyhing' salve is my new favorite product. I'm like Gus Portokalos and Windex - I apply this waxy salve everywhere I need hydration. Lips, nails (keeps cuticles nourished), elbows, toes.. I'm addicted! After purchasing the original Glossier Balm Dotcom and using it up in a month, I purchased the coconut and mint flavors (admittedly, a few originals too). The scented balms are subtle and trust me, will replace your all-time favorite lip balm. Rose and Cherry Balm Dotcom have a sheer tint - if you need a little barely-there color.

The formula is super-dense and builds a barrier on your skin to protect from further damage. The antioxidants and natural emollients nourish and repair your skin. A must-have this winter.

Each tube retails for $12 and if your obsessed (like me) will last for about a month, but I'm sure longer for the regular 'I need a little hydration here and there' kinda girl. For the product junkie's out there, you're gonna want all of them - I keep one in my bag, my Cosmocube, at my computer.. I can't get enough of this brand - ADDICTED, OBSESSED, LOVE!

Use my link to get 10% off your first Glossier purchase - http://bff.glossier.com/gMn0U

I KNOW! Another opinion in a sea of Glossier followers, but I'm kinda hooked and need to talk about it. The IntoTheGloss.com beauty blog comprised a cosmetic brand based on expert opinions from the 'coolest girls on the planet'. Glossier Makeup is simple, yet effective (stole that from Zac Posen). Maybe it's because all my favorite bloggers rave about this brand (specifically The Supers), or the pastel packaging (the world is having a muted/pastel moment - INSTAGRAM), but I was immediately obsessed. 

Let's talk about The Supers - These 'fast' absorbing serums are packed with nutrients to boost your skin. Super Glow is like water and absorbs immediately. The vitamin C brightens and magnesium energizes your skin for a much-needed pick-me-up.

Super Pure takes a little longer to absorb but diminishes without a trace. This serum combats redness (niacinamide -vitamin B3) and helps calm blemishes. Super Pure water-gel-like serum removes impurities (zinc) and gets you through those umm.. periods when you need it most! 

Super Bounce (my favorite) plumps the skin with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B. Hangovers, long flights and climate change can wreak havoc on your skin - in comes SUPER BOUNCE!! This gel-like serum takes a few minutes to absorb and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. After a week of daily use, my skin felt nourished (I needed it). It contains hyaluronic acid (plumps the skin) and vitamin B5 (regenerates new skin). 

I've been using these lightweight serums for a few weeks and like the results - nothing major, but a slight improvement from my everyday skin issues. If there was ever a bandwagon to jump on, it would be this one - Glossier. The Super Pack retails for $65 - not bad for three 15 ml bottles of 'super-liquid-vitamins' for your skin. Order Glossier products online and they arrive in a pink bubble wrap pouches - great for travel or just sporting a pink bubble wrap pouch in your handbag. This post got me thinking, what would I do with my pile of pink pouches? store a wet bikini, cell phone at the pool, cosmetics while travelling, it would make a funky clutch..  

Brightening, Setting, Retouching.. And this is after you've applied foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush.. As I age, my multitude of skin issues are more apparent and that means more product. Often, too much has the adverse effect and you end up looking like a art project gone wrong, but setting powders is a necessary step to perfect makeup.

After applying topical medication (rosacea), serums, moisturizer, corrective creams, and sometimes foundation, my face is rather shiny. Thanks to my 'angry', combination skin, I'm having to deal with an oily complexion too. Bobbi Brown White Skin Correcting Powder is meant to 'brighten and illuminate' fair skin tones, but I use it to slightly mattify my look. It's the last step in my makeup routine, but if I'm having one of those 'dry' days, the powder will magnify my dehydrated skin. Decisions - oily or flakey?

I apply Bobbi Brown Skin Correcting Powder in peach to add a little warmth to my complexion. Focusing my cheeks, this subtle shade looks great on my super-fair skin. I don't feel like either of these retouching powders are drastically enhancing my makeup, but Bobbi Brown is about subtlety!

Move over BB, there's newbies in the Cosmocube! Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder is like magic fairy dust. The transparent powder is formulated with light-reflecting micronized pigments that illuminate your under eye area while setting your concealer. Apply concealer, blend with a damp beautyblender, be sure there's no creasing, dab your damp makeup sponge into the powder and lightly pat it onto your under eye area. Too much is ok - it will settle and you can sweep off the excess product in a few. AMAZING results! My concealer is set, there's little-to-no creasing and my under eye area appears significantly brighter. LOVE!

The mint green tint of Laura Mercier Shine Control Pressed Setting Powder tones down redness (I NEED THAT) while reducing shine. The 'Shine Control Complex' gives you a shine-free, fresh, mate finish - a much-needed addition to my cosmetic bag for on-the-go touchups. While we're on the topic of green - Sephora Collection Bright Future Color Correctors are super light and great for combating discoloration, blemishes.. I use the green shade to neutralize the redness on my nose. The formula is lightweight and blends nicely. 

I am a self-declared product junkie and I LOVE Sephora Favorites. These boxes are a great way to try new cosmetics without spending dollars on full-sized products. Oh, but I would pay full-price for some of these mini's (major 'mini' product junkie)!

Honestly, I don't have time to try every product in these boxes and if I did my skin and hair would most likely get super angry and lash out in flakes and frizz. There's only so much you can put on your face and a multitude of products doesn't promote healthy skin. I choose boxes that have a few products I intend to try and then share the others. An excellent gift idea for the holidays - buy three to four boxes, split up the products amongst your friends, arrange in small Sephora bags, tie a ribbon and everyone will love you.

Back to my mini product addiction. I prefer little products, cause I can pack tons of shit in my cosmetic bag without compromising and they fit in my Cosmocube nicely. And.. you're getting great value for your dollar. The Glow For It box has six products for $30 ($6 each). Not bad considering the full-sized Benefit Watts Up! Cream-to-Powder highlighter retails for $30. Multiple mini's for the cost of one full-sized. I never finish full-sized products before they expire anyway - there's always something new to try.

Concealer is the arch enemy to my under eye! I've watched countless videos and can't seem to mimic the flawless concealer look most vloggers achieve with ease. Mind you, I am older than most beauty bloggers and once the botox begins to wear off and the wrinkles appear my concealer creases. A few days ago I had Dysport injected into my under eye area (under my eye, not the sides) to combat the little lines. I'm hopeful.. Will let ya know..

I'd like to use full-coverage concealer (sometimes I need it), but I gotta stick to light layers of sheer concealer and a little 'baking'. I'm a creature of habit and admittedly addicted to Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, but lately, I've been exploring other brands. To my surprise, I'm switching concealer brands. But first.. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener has been my go-to under eye pick-me-up for years. It's sheer, glides on nicely and brightens the under eye area. I use Light Bisque 2 - the pinkish shade works well to combat slightly dark circles. The Tinted Eye Brightener is meant for minimal under coverage and is just not enough for me anymore (FU*K AGING). 

When the Intensive Skin Serum Concealer and Corrector released, I was excited. New, lightweight under eye products by my favorite brand. I purchased the concealer in Ivory 2 and corrector in Light Bisque 2. The concealer is similar to the Tinted Eye Brightener - silky and weightless. The color is yellowish and it definitely brightens the under eye, but the coverage is light. I use the concealer first to combat the dark circles and then the Tinted Eye Brightener to lighten that area even more. The corrector in Light Bisque 2 doesn't jive with my skin tone AT ALL (despite the Tinted Eye Brightener being Light Bisque 2). I tried it a few times and am not willing to invest another $40 experimenting with different shades. I can't say if the product is good or not, cause I didn't give it a fair go.

In come the 'NEWBIES'.. Laura Mercier Candleglow Concealer and Highlighter is AMAZING! It brightens the under eye area and highlights for a luminous under eye glow. It is sheer coverage, but the highlighting aspect makes a big difference. LOVE. The round applicator is nice to the touch and allows for easy application. I use Fair to Light 1 - a shade lighter than my foundation.

Another brand I've been obsessing over lately is Glossier. IntoTheGloss.com beauty blog comprised a cosmetic brand based on expert opinions from the 'coolest girls on the planet'. I'm a fan of the blog and am falling in love with the cosmetic brand. One of the MANY products I purchased is the Stretch Concealer. It comes in a glass pot - preferable packaging (so you get every last bit). The formula is lightweight, silky and when applied with your ring finger, goes on nicely. It is sheer coverage, but layers well. The nourishing oils are apparent in the texture and results. I can see myself applying this concealer to other areas on my face for a little brightening and sheer coverage on dry spots.

Online exclusive gifts are why I love internet shopping. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has the best gifts with a purchase. I just snagged myself a 'Be Who You Are' tote, mini Vitamin Enriched Face Base, and mini Face Blender brush. Another reason why Bobbi Brown is my favorite cosmetic brand. 

Ladies and Gents, you should 'Be Who You Are'. I peruse beauty and fashion posts every day and let's face it - too many makeup bloggers/vloggers look like Kim Kardashian. I'm sure it's flattering, but with all you minions stealing her look, there's nothing unique about her (or you)! BE YOURSELF!

My morning routine is all about refresh and prep. I wash my face thoroughly in the evening, so it's not necessary in the morning, but I feel like I need a 'wake-me-up' rinse and opt for a gentle cleansing oil. Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil is an all-in-one cleanser (face and eye makeup). Close your eyes, gently rub the oil all over and rinse with warm water. The scent is refreshing and the oil leaves your skin feeling clean and soft. I KNOW - oil on your face? This goes against everything my dermatologist has been telling me for years - 'use oil-free products'. I was sure cleaning my face with oil would give me pimples, or make my skin oily, but no. Cleansing oil nourishes your skin, while gently removing impurities. LOVE this product!

After cleansing with oil, I apply Hydrating Face Tonic by (who else) Bobbi Brown. Cucumber, chamomile, licorice, aloe leaf and lavender combined, leave your skin feeling fresh and prepped. The scent is super refreshing and your skin feels hydrated.

Once the tonic absorbs, I apply Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement. I purchased the 'to go' travel size serum and determined that it would require the entire bottle to see any significant results (about 4 weeks). After finishing the solution, my skin looked great. The dark spots were a little less visible and my complexion brighter. Of course, treatments at the dermatologist and intensive facials would give you dramatic results, and this serum only a subtle difference, but every little bit counts. 

The newest addition to my morning routine is Extra Repair Nourishing Milk by Bobbi Brown. I admit I was initially attracted to the bright white, 'milky' appearance. What is it about milk? I immediately think, nourishing. This lightweight milky formula absorbs quickly and the scent is refreshing. It's a nice little dose of moisturizer before starting your day. Oh and this is all before tea - there's a whole other routine for makeup prep and application!

I purchased the Soothing Cleansing Oil ($44), Hydrating Face Tonic ($32), and Extra Repair Nourishing Milk ($86) in full-size, but refill my deluxe staple size bottles of cleansing oil and tonic (pictured here), so they fit nicely in my Comocube with the 'to go' Intensive Skin Supplement ($28). I realize these products are pricey, but worth the investment. The full-sized bottles of Soothing Cleansing Oil and Hydrating Face Tonic last a long time..

I'm obsessed with Kiss Me Balm by Sephora, and am super bummed that they discontinued it. Yeah, I stocked up before they sold out, but I've been on a mission to find a new favorite. Just posted and already out of stock, the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint is AMAZING (and officially my new favorite). The barely-there color blends with your natural lip color and gives a subtle pink shade that enhances your own lips. The creamy texture goes on nicely and nourishes your lips. I like the packaging - the tube is a bit smaller than the average lipstick and the pearl white case is chic. 

Anytime the conversation of best lip enhancers comes up, I'm shouting TOO FACED LIP INJECTION EXTREME from the rooftop! This lip plumper will give you the ultimate pouty lip. Lip Injection Extreme isn't new, but now there's a mini version (LOVE). 

The Sephora Lip Color Lip Last Lipstick in Oh My Beige! and Sephora Rouge Gel Lip Liner in The Nudest are a match made in nude lips heaven. The gel-cream texture of the liner glides on smoothly and the nude shade matches my lips perfectly. The liner is retractable, so no sharpening and no shavings. The Lip Last Lipstick is oh so creamy. The color is a bit lighter than I'd like but combined with 'The Nudest' lip liner create the perfect nude lip shade. Strawberry Short Cake is back and channelling her scent through Lip Last Lipsticks! The scent is amazing (and addictive). It really does smell like my favorite childhood doll. I will definitely purchase more Lip Last Lipsticks and Gel Lip Liners.. 

MILK - 'for the girls who spend less time getting done up and more time getting stuff done'. Umm ok! Seems like the MILK makeup line would require just as much time as any other to apply, but they're trying to market a certain girl and well, I'm not gonna argue their 'new take on makeup'.

These sticks are, for lack of a better phrase, kinda fun. They're like little deodorant sticks packed with natural ingredients to hydrate and highlight. I gotta admit, the Holographic Stick and Highlighter are a bit too 'hyper' for my facial complexion, but they are great for highlighting other parts of the body. I use the Hydrating Oil Stick all over my legs and then apply the highlighter for a little color and glow. Shimmery legs appear longer and reflect light nicely in photos. For 'intense' highlighting, the holographic stick leaves a lavender-like hue of micro sparkle on your skin (not my favorite). I'm a little too old for purple highlights! 

I love the Hydrating Oil Stick - I'm finding new ways to use it every day. Aside from applying to my legs (super easy application), I also use the oil in the inner corner of my eyes. This area is a problem for me and is always dry?? After I have finished my makeup application, I hold my finger on the oil stick until it warms and then gently apply a little to the inner corner of my eyes. AMAZING results!

I was most excited to purchase the Cooling Water - I think it's the first stick I purchased (the others quickly followed). I was expecting big results from this stick and am kinda disappointed. While the cooling sensation (make sure to keep refrigerated or put on ice for 5) was nice, the solution didn't seem to have a big effect on my puffy eyes. The formula does glide on much easier when warm, but after cooling, application is harder and stretches your skin while you glide the stick around your eyes. Never stretch your under-eye area - gravity and age will cause enough damage, you don't need to add to this problem area. Mind you, I did wait until I had major under-eye baggage to try the Cooling Water. There are many other uses for this product, but I haven't got around to exploring them. I purchased this stick for my under-eyes and am not sure I would apply to other areas of my face for hydration and circulation - I have other products for that! The stick is still in my fridge and if I'm perusing the food selection, I might (and have) smear a little around my area for the cooling sensation.. 

The photos taken above show the highlighting effect of the Holographic Stick, Highlighter, and Hydrating Oil Stick. Yes, I separated the swatches, but they were all on my arm for the photo (same time, same lighting).

Six months ago, I was anti-sparkle, but since discovering the benefits of highlighting my face, I'm officially addicted. My highlighting products are growing faster than anything else in my CosmoCube (best makeup organizer).

After applying foundation, I apply Benefit Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter down the bridge of my nose, on my cheekbones, cupid's bow (to make your lips appear bigger) and blend with a damp beautyblender and a little Farsali Rose Gold Elixir. Then I apply setting powder, blush, maybe bronzer and all-over illuminating powder. All those powders on top of the Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter will lessen the illuminating effect and using a damp (oily) sponge to apply more is a no-no for me (I'm oily enough and gotta hold back on the Elixir). In enters my new favorite cosmetic - highlighting 'powder'. 

Of course, I opted for my favorite cosmetic brand! The Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Pink Glow is perfect for a little extra light-reflective glow. The pink highlights are nice on pale skin tones and the effect is subtle (if applied lightly). I use the Sephora Pro Fan Brush #65 to little dust the highlighter on my check bones. For more precise application on my nose and cupid's bow, I use the Bobbi Brown Eye Sweep brush - it's more dense and allows you to apply more product. If you want a high-impact glow, apply a little Farsali Rose Gold Elixir to your cheekbones, bridge of your nose and cupids bow, then lightly apply Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder - super glow! I LOVE this highlighting powder.