January brought a whirlwind of beauty discoveries, from exciting new lip combinations to innovative skincare gadgets. This month's review dives into both the triumphs and disappointments of my beauty adventures, offering honest feedback on products that ranged from affordable drugstore finds to high-end luxury items. I'll be sharing my top picks, highlighting game-changing products that significantly improved my routine, as well as those that unfortunately fell short of expectations. Prepare for an in-depth look at my January favorites and fails, including lip glosses, foundations, skincare devices, and even a surprisingly successful Amazon haul.Get ready to uncover the best (and worst!) of my January beauty experiments. This month’s review covers a wide spectrum of products, from budget-friendly ELF lip stains to luxurious Tarte lip creams, along with innovative skincare tools and effective sunscreens. I'll delve into the details of each product, sharing both the pros and cons, to help you make informed decisions about your own beauty purchases. Whether you're looking for a new lip combo, a reliable foundation, or a powerful skincare device, this comprehensive review will guide you through the best and the worst of my January beauty journey.
Pros And Cons
- lightweight
- hydrating
- blushes, bronzers, and highlighters are easy to work with and long-lasting
- great for travel
- good for dry skin
- settled slightly into wrinkles
- too glowy
- not long-wearing (wore off on nose by 8 hours)
- easy to apply
- settled in wrinkles
- settled in pores
- not long-wearing
- shiny
- didn't do anything for skin
- beautiful color
- beautiful formulation
- nice nude lip color
- long-lasting
- favorite jeans
- cropped
Read more: 5 Best Lip Plumpers for Sensitive Skin (No Irritation!)
Lip Combo Favorites
I discovered two fantastic lip combinations this month. The first featured ELF's Glossy Lip Stain in Power Mauve. This lightweight, long-lasting stain provides a beautiful wash of color without feeling heavy. Its affordability is a major plus, and I've already purchased it in another shade.
To enhance the glossy stain, I paired it with Derma E's Ultra Hydrating Lip Plumping Treatment. While intensely tingly, this plumping gloss adds a gorgeous shine and noticeable lip volume. The combination of the stain and gloss creates a stunning, comfortable lip look.
Another Winning Lip Combo
My second favorite lip combo came from Tarte's Maracuja Juicy collection. The Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner and Lip Cream are a perfect pairing. This formula is more solid than the original Juicy Lips, offering longer wear and less greasiness.
The Soft Rose lip cream is a lovely nude shade that lasts well throughout the day, even after eating. The lip liner is optional, as the cream holds up impressively well on its own.
Makeup Must-Haves
Ulta Beauty's Gel Eyeliner in Eggplant is a standout product. Its creamy formula glides effortlessly onto the waterline, providing a long-lasting, waterproof finish. Its versatility allows for use on the waterline and as an upper lash liner.
L'Oreal Telescopic Lift Mascara also impressed. The unique wand design, with its shorter bristles on the back and longer ones on the sides, delivers impressive length and lift. It provided a feathery, full lash look that lasted all day.
Makeup Fails and an Interesting Palette
Makeup by Mario's Surreal Foundation was a disappointment. It settled heavily into wrinkles and pores and didn't provide long-lasting wear. Overall, it offered little improvement to my complexion.
The Makeup Forever HD Skin Palette proved more intriguing. While not a complete success, the concept of a multi-use palette for a complete makeup look was interesting. The blushes, bronzers, and highlighters performed well, but the foundation, while hydrating, did settle into my fine lines a bit. It's travel-friendly and suitable for those with drier skin.
New Makeup Mirror and Skincare
I found a great Amazon dupe for the popular Ricky mirror. This lighted mirror features a 10x magnifying mirror that attaches magnetically. It's smaller than the Ricky mirror, but the increased magnification offers excellent detail.
Moving onto skincare, I tried the Ziip beauty device. While initially clunky and awkward compared to my usual microcurrent device, its results were comparable, particularly when using it with my preferred gel. The included gel had an overwhelming fragrance, however.
Skincare Favorites
Timeless's Vitamin C serum, now available in a glass bottle with an airless pump, is an improvement over its previous packaging. This addresses previous complaints about leaking pumps and ensures better product preservation.
My long-time favorite, Alpha Skincare Renewal Lotion, remains a must-have, especially during the dry winter months. Its 12% glycolic acid content effectively combats crepey skin, although a pump dispenser would be an improvement.
Hand Soap and Sunscreen
Switching to A La Maison oil-based hand soaps has significantly improved the dryness of my hands. The sweet almond scent is particularly lovely during winter, and the various scents offer variety.
Neutrogena's Pure Screen Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen is a welcome addition. This mineral sunscreen with vitamin E, offering SPF 30 and water resistance, comes in four sheer shades, eliminating the usual white cast. It works well alone but reduces the wear time of foundation.
Hair Care Fail and Clothing Favorites
Venus de Venus Volume Boosting Mousse was a disappointment. It didn't provide extra hold to my curls, and the texture left my hair feeling strangely plasticky.
On a more positive note, my recent Amazon sweater haul was a huge success. Two favorites were a thick, elevated sweatshirt in a vibrant red and a soft, sherpa-lined jacket with snaps. Both are comfortable and stylish, and the jacket includes handy inside and outside pockets.
Clothing Details and Conclusion
The jeans paired with the sweaters are my go-to Levi's Wedgie Icon fit, and the booties are a comfortable and stylish choice for colder weather. The cropped length of the jeans complements the booties well.
Overall, January brought a mix of beauty hits and misses. While some products fell short, several standouts, such as the ELF lip stain, Tarte lip combo, and Neutrogena tinted sunscreen, made a significant impact on my beauty routine. The Ziip device provides similar results to other microcurrent devices, although its size may be a drawback for some. The Makeup Forever palette's versatility is also noteworthy, though I might prefer the foundation to be less glowy.