Favorite Finds of 2009! (Part II)

5. Lancome Juicy Tubes Gloss Set ($39.50)

I know what you’re thinking. “40 bucks for some lip gloss?? Hell to the No!” Please, hear me out. Once a year I splurge and buy a lip gloss set. Sometimes it’s by Clinique, sometimes it’s by MAC, it really just depends. However, with that one lip gloss purchase I am set for the next 12 months. I love lip gloss. But it is the one area I have learned that cheaper is not better. To me, cheap lip gloss is sticky, stringy, and just kinda…..gross. So, because of this, once a year, I fork over the cash for the good stuff. I’ve never been disappointed. This Lancome set is by far the best I’ve ever used. The colors are neutral and sexy, and the gloss is super shiny and lasts forever. The 40 bucks was well worth it.

4. Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara ($4.99)

I love this mascara. I use it as a base for my regular mascara. I also use it to set my eyebrows after I apply my makeup. It’s fairly inexpensive, and has many uses. I usually apply one coat of clear mascara to all of my lashes (top and bottom) followed by two coats of LashBlast by Covergirl ( to the top lashes, and outer corners of my bottom lashes.) By using the clear mascara as a base, my black mascara goes on smoother and aids in separating and lengthening my lashes even more.

3. Clean & Clear Touch Oil-Absorbing Sheets ($5.29)

I keep a pack of these sheets in my schoolbag, a pack in my purse, and a pack in my car. They are perfect for absorbing oil from my face without removing my makeup. I never have to reapply powder during the day. I just blot my face with these sheets and my makeup looks brand new again. They are a lifesaver!

2. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($2.99)

I’m the type of person that was born with a stuffy nose. However, even though I suffer from year-round allergies, with the help of this lip balm, I am rarely congested. This lip balm has lanolin, peppermint oil, comfrey root extract, and rosemary extract in it, so when my body heat warms up the balm on my lips, I’m able to breathe in the fumes, and my sinuses instantly open up. This balm is on my lips almost 24 hours a day. I wear it under my lip gloss, and I wear it by itself. I’m addicted.

1. Kiss Everlasting Nails ($5.99 for a full set including the glue & $2.50 for a kit with just the nails)

I know what you’re thinking. “Press on nails? Is she for real?!?” Yep! I’m for real! I’ve been wearing acrylic nails consistently since I was 12 years old. Like clockwork, every two weeks I would go to my local, and sometimes my not-so-local nail shop for a full set or fill in. The words would roll off my tongue so easily, “Full set, solar, American manicure with square-round tips.” It was a mantra. I would spend $30 plus a $2 tip the first week, and then $17 plus a $2 tip two to three weeks later. One day about a month ago, I actually sat down and did the math: my twice a month manicures ran me about $612 a YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure Madness! So, I immediately started looking for cheaper alternatives for my French/American manicure look that I love so much. After an extensive amount of research I have found and fallen in love with Kiss Everlasting Nails! As you can see from the picture, they have little handles on the nails for easily application. The instructions are easy, and the best part is that they are $2.50 a pack at my local dollar store!!! I have gotten so many compliments on my nails since switching to Kiss. I replace the nails with a new set every Sunday, and after they are applied I paint a clear top-coat on top for added shine. They are THE BEST!! I’ll NEVER go back to acrylics! Oh, BTW- wearing a new set of the Kiss Everlasting Nails every week will run me about $130 a year. That’s a savings of $482! You can’t beat that with a stick!



So, that completes my Top Picks for 2009. I hope you’ve enjoyed my countdown. Merry Christmas, Bellas!