Monthly Favorites: November 2023 Edition!

[AlexBT]

Monthly Favorites - November 2023

Happy November, BIC! I’m over here still waiting for that crisp, fall feeling to kick in (it’s still unseasonably warm here in California 😅), but there’s no denying that the Holiday szn is officially here -- ready or not! Speaking of which, I can’t wait to see what new goodies everyone picked up at the Sephora Savings Event earlier this month, if you shopped the sale! As for me, I managed to find a few new favorites in November, but mostly shopped my own stash to keep myself in check. It’s all about ~balance~ 😉.

Here are the products I’ve been loving this November:

• Clarins Double Serum Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Concentrate 
• dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream Original 
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed - Matte Color for Cheek & Lip Golden Hour 
• Kosas Brow Pop Nano Ultra-Fine Detailing + Feathering Eyebrow Pencil 
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Shower Oil Argan 6.76 oz / 200 mL 

You’re up, Community! Hit the reply button and tell us which products made your November Favorites list. Be sure to tag those products with the “#” symbol (hair, makeup, fragrance, wellness, skincare, etc.)!

[Samtian]

@itsfi Haha that made me laugh, I probably already do! It smells soooooo good. I reach for it a lot. Took it to Arizona with me and my mom was like...what's going on with you lol. As for K18 I still need to try everything we got from Sephoria lol but I was very selfish and wouldn't share any of the detox shampoo or that mask we got in Gratis with anyone 😬

[itsfi]

Hahaha @Samtian! Did you ever watch the TV show  Monk? The main character has many phobias, including of germs so he’s often asking for a “wipe”. I sometimes feel like that’s me with the Touchland. 😆 Hmmm, we may need to work on finding a scent in the Touchland your mom loves. 🤔 Or get her her own bottle. Ha! 

In all fairness, there’s A LOT of treats in those Sephoria bags, the one from the event and the virtual one. It could take months to go through. If you like something, you should keep it! That shampoo & conditioner work so well together! It’s fun to hear everyone’s favorites - the tried and true ones as well as new discoveries 😊 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Haha I did watch some episodes when it first came out. I can see that being you with the Touchland! 

That was a lot in the bags!! I'm glad I didn't get FOMO and didn't get a virtual bag lol. I actually just finished getting my numbers and plans finalized for Pan It 2024 😸

[itsfi]

So many great things in that bag @Samtian. I don’t know what I would have done if I had gotten the virtual bag - seeing what others posted, there were a lot of fun beauties in that box. That’s awesome you’ve finalized your pan goals for next year. 🙌🏼 

[cianni]

@Samtian I love that k18 too. It’s one of the only detox shampoos that I can use in the winter without feeling like my scalp is too dry 

[Samtian]

@cianni I really needed that shampoo when I was growing up 😅

[ather]

@Samtian  All are wonderful choices!! Sounds like a perfect monthly favs! 

[Samtian]

@ather Thank you!

[itsfi]

It's already the end of November - gahhhhh, how did we get here already @AlexBT?!!! 

Spoiler

@Loretta55 & Lady Gaga are to blame for HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Le Monster Lip Crayon Vegan Lipstick and Lip Liner Mocha Matte # being a favorite this month. This would not have landed on my radar if it were not for the lovely Loretta55 (thank you! Hope you are doing well!) I had the lip crayon in another shade so I was familiar with the formula  creamy, glides on smoothly, beautiful colors, with a demi matte finish. The shade name and the color on the packaging scared me, but this pretty deep nude turned out to be an oft reach for lippie over the last few weeks.

Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow 18M Beige does a beautiful job of evening out the skin tone on my eyelids and is a wonderful flesh toned shade for when I want my eyes and lashes to pop. Performs nicely as a base and primer.

Spring 2019. Maui. I was on vacay and the following week would be starting a new job, a new career of sorts. I made my way to the local Sephora on the first day of my trip (is that not what everyone does?), spritzed Ellis Brooklyn MYTH Eau de Parfum and was graciously made a sample of it. I went back to the store before my flight home to pick up a travel size as a souvenir for myself. 😉 Since that time, I've purchased Myth in various sizes and it remains a scent I reach for with regularity, including this month.

Another beauty I've been reaching for regularly this month has been OLEHENRIKSEN Strength Trainer Skin Barrier Moisturizer with Peptides and Niacinamide 1.7 oz/ 50 mL. This month has involved lots of sitting in airplanes with recycled air; heavily air-conditioned conference rooms; dealing with finicky weather and managing deadlines and home renovations. This has been a good resource for keeping my skin barrier happy and healthy, and for the transition to the cooler season.,

Speaking of cool, Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift Effect & Glow Boosting Face Mask 2.5 oz / 75 g  as been quite the find. This mask comes at a price, but for me, it's well worth it (even better if you can get it on sale). Tones, tightens and tackles time in ten minutes, all with a lovely cooling sensation that lasts long after the pale mint gel cream is tissued off, leaving skin feeling more hydrated, supple, and slightly more taut - especially around my eyes, I noticed - no complaints there! 😍

Haus Labs Lip Crayon - Mocha Matte
Clarins Cryo-Flash Mask

[faeriegirl]

Myth is such a beautiful scent @itsfi ! Myth and Salt are my top EB favorites.

[itsfi]

@faeriegirl she's really put out some great fragrances. I do feel like her older fragrances have worked better on my skin than some of her newer scents.

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi I know, I can't believe we are almost in December... this year flew by! Absolutely LOVE Myth by Ellis Brooklyn, great bunch of favorites 🙂

[itsfi]

This year definitely has gone by so quickly @QueenMarceline. Myth is such a beautiful scent. That and RRose are my favorites from her line. ♥️ Oh, and I do also like Apres. Have you tried any of her other scents?

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi I have tried BEE (didn't like it, smells like cough syrup to me?), Florist (liked it!) and of course, MYTH. Out of those, MYTH is hands down my favorite, enough to own it in the full size. I've heard great things about Apres throughout the years but can't remember trying it, maybe I'll dig through my stash of sample perfumes to see if I have it on hand. Saw they had a great deal on the APRES set recently, which when stacked with the VIB deal would be hard to pass up for most. Would love to try Rrose, SciFi and Apres next 🙂 Which one is your favorite out of those you've tried?

[itsfi]

@QueenMarceline, I've tried all her fragrances except for Florist, SciFi, Fawn and Sweet. Myth is my favorite. 

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi I see you've got great taste, haha! 🤣

[Loretta55]

I’m so happy that you are enjoying HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Le Monster Lip Crayon Vegan Lipstick and Lip Liner Mocha Matte @itsfi . You may have influenced me to try the Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift Effect & Glow Boosting Face Mask 2.5 oz / 75 g . Lifting and softening of my facial skin sounds wonderful. If it works I might apply it to my upper arms which I feel have shown their age.

[itsfi]

It’s such a beautiful color @Loretta55; thank you again for recommending it! Did you see it on @AlexBT in the posts below? ⬇️ She stuns in it! 😍 

The cryo mask has been really good! I look forward to using it. Will have to track my progress and results. I was very surprised 😲 that I experienced firming on the first use. Happily so, but surprised nonetheless. 

[cianni]

@itsfi Oh my goodness I remember when you picked up myth because I was inspired to pick up a sample as well. Was that really 2019?!!!

[itsfi]

omg yes @cianni, 2019! How time flies by, doesn’t it? It seems like so long ago. Myth smells lovely. It having a soft spot in my heart makes me love it more. ♥️

[ather]

@itsfi  This photo is absolutely stunning! That Haus liner is gorgeous! And how have I never heard of that Armani? Sounds perfect. Who doesn’t want their mascara to pop!!! I need to try that mask! Sounds like a miracle worker!