Sephora

KhyleyBT

Hey BIC, I hope you’ve enjoyed November! 🤗 Mine started on an upswing riding the high of spooky season 👻, which led me to finally snagging a longtime love I’ve had on my wishlist . . . THEE MAKE UP FOREVER HD Skin Face Essentials Palette — and let me tell you, she does not disappoint! 😍 While I’ve been keeping it lowkey post daylight savings, this new babe allows me to pull LEWKS at a moment’s notice and I cannot recommend it enough. RUN don’t walk if it’s not part of your collection yet! 💨

My other focus has been combatting the dreaded cold weather dryness from head to toe. Best believe I have all my creams, oils and serums on deck! My skincare routines have been extended, but I’ll be savoring this self-care indulgence as long as humanly possible. 💅

These are a few of my faves this month that have been helping me look and feel my best:

Passing the mic to you now Community! What picks are you treating yourself to this month? Don’t forget to use the “#” symbol to tag those favorites so we can make the most of our holiday shopping together 🎀

CynthieLu

Aahhhh, The power of a name. @WinglessOne 😅 There's buildings that change around here but since names just stick.

eshoe

When I saw your thumbnail, I knew a good read was ahead @WinglessOne.

Somehow I’ve missed the Boy Smells reviews but what you mentioned is enough for me to venture out and try it. And yes, that Lisa Aldridge does look made for your lips alone!

Bummer to read about your heartleaf stone being discontinued. But…happy to hear its replacement is fragrance-free and gentle on your skin. I was cleaning out my photo album today and saw so many past loves that no longer exist. I was a little surprised I had forgotten about them, but I guess that is a good thing. Better things are on the horizon 🌅

WinglessOne

Thank you @eshoe! I lost (um, accidentally deleted) my old ongoing list of fragrance notes/reviews, so I searched BIC for one of my Violet Ends descriptions—and thanks to Google, I found one of ‘em in an older monthly favorites thread:

Boy Smells Violet Ends - the first Boy Smells fragrance I ever bought. On me, it’s a peppery tobacco spiced leather + iris + violet, with some bergamot, a fruity sweetness (probably the rhubarb Boy Smells says is in there), a wood note (not cedar or sandalwood), some olibanum, and a hint of black tea.

It begins as your favorite sassy aunt or uncle, wearing their decades-old leather jacket and filling their tobacco pipe, handing you an open tin of loose leaf bergamot black tea and telling you to take a slice of the freshly baked rhubarb pie on their kitchen table beside a pepper grinder and a vase of violets and irises. It dries down to you and that same relative swapping “remember when" stories while lounging on an old leather sofa in front of a lit fireplace after sunset, warm pipe smoke in the air, more violets and irises on the coffee table, crickets chirping somewhere in the night.

If you’ve ever smelled Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Eau de Parfum 2.2 oz / 65 mL eau de parfum spray, I usually call that fragrance Violet Ends’ slightly tamer sister. (I do also love Hinoki Fantôme, especially the candle.) Violet Ends has more bite, probably from its violet and pepper notes.

Ah, that realization of “oh wow, I used to LOVE [product]” and not missing it much because you’ve moved on to better options. I’m glad your photo album cleanup wasn’t a sad or bittersweet exercise, though now I’m curious: what were some of those products? So many good ones have been discontinued… some I’m still not over because I’ve yet to find suitable replacements, but others I can let go of, like Abib’s Heartleaf Stone. And you’ve reminded me I should also clean out my photo album before year’s end. Haven’t done that in a very long time. 😅

eshoe

@WinglessOne I have to find Violet Ends now.

The skincare I miss are mostly masks. I feel like each one is a heartbreak waiting to happen if I fall in love. Now I take a more casual approach; if I love it, I remember this. The REN Rescue mask was one, and it happened to se it today in TJ Maxx. I almost bought it, then remembered my last one went off. We both loved the YTTP kale moisturizer; I gave up once it was reformulated. And it might be completely fine! But i guess there is something magical about consistency. I would pay for that. And plenty of people do…EL’s night serum seems like it’s been a thing for years. Must be the pressure they are under to have top-performing hits 🤷🏻‍♀️

CorgiMommy

That is a perfect holiday lip color! @WinglessOne

WinglessOne

Thanks @CorgiMommy !

CookieGirl1

@KhyleyBT DIOR Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss 020 Mahogany is so pretty! It's the perfect lippie for this time of year. Also, the Sienna Naturals Daily Elixir Scalp Treatment Oil 3 oz / 89 ml wasn't even on my radar--what do you like about it?

KhyleyBT

Hi @CookieGirl1! Yes the mahogany gloss is one of my all time faves 😍 and is cute by itself or layered with a liner and or lip tint! The Sienna Naturals oil really helps with my dry/flaky scalp (especially this time of year) and gives my scalp a nice refresh when needed. It truly can be a daily oil and doesn't ever feel too oily or messy, works great with my braids 🤩

CookieGirl1

Thanks for the feedback on the oil, @KhyleyBT! I'm genuinely interested after hearing your review on it 😊.

peculiarzmakeup

@KhyleyBT Amazing November faves it’s great to hear about your experience with such a beautiful pallete I love the shades! I also think weather considerations are important I think your picks are great for the current season!

November Faves

54 Thrones African Beauty Butter Mini Gift Set

Absolute bliss in each one of these I especially love the lavender, I also love how nourishing these are for the skin, especially my hands that get super dry in the cold climate ❄️

Tatcha Mini Hinoki Body Milk Lotion 1.7 oz / 50 mL

I love how nourishing this is on top of the amazing scent that is so revitalizing.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer

My dry skin is so happy with this product it’s lightweight and really feels like a cloud!

Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml

The glide on this product is like ice skating it’s beautiful how well it melts into the eye it even is great for winged looks!
Bonus: Fits right in a purse 👛

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Stockholm

I am gonna pick up (mood) I feel like this is just so easy to glide and work with as well as blend and beautiful shading.
Bonus: Purse ready 👛

I love reflecting on monthly faves thank you so much for sharing yours I also enjoy reading everyone’s picks 🙂

faeriegirl

Merit Stockholm is one of my favorites too @peculiarzmakeup!

peculiarzmakeup

Such a pretty pink shade it’s so lovely 🙂 @faeriegirl

KhyleyBT

@peculiarzmakeup thank you for sharing your faves, these are FAB! 😍 I have the Merit flush balm in mood and love it, you should absolutely snag. You've also piqued my interest on the DM eyeliner, I'll definitely have to check that out ✨

peculiarzmakeup

I just ordered mood! According to merit, they are discontinuing it in 2025 I was like oh no I have to try it before it goes 🙂 @KhyleyBT

caitbird

@peculiarzmakeup great favorites! All of these sound amazing, I am over here taking notes for future reference 😂

peculiarzmakeup

Haha I am the same way! I love that! This is such a good place to find new faves haha @caitbird

CynthieLu

Thank you for sharing these @peculiarzmakeup. You've got a great list of favorites this month! I'm usually pretty impressed by Peter Thomas Roth skincare, I've tried that cloud cream and I totally get you, it's fantastic. ☁️🩷

peculiarzmakeup

Definatley! I like how weigh less it feels and bouncy too on the skin! It’s refreshing 🙂 @CynthieLu

CorgiMommy

@peculiarzmakeup looking for a new eyeliner, think I may try the DM liner

peculiarzmakeup

This is a great one! I like how it conforms to the eye it’s so nice 🙂 @CorgiMommy

WinglessOne

@peculiarzmakeup Danessa’s Linework is my favorite liquid liner (in pen/brush form). Everything about it is perfect. And you’re right, it really is smooth as a seasoned ice skater. Nice list of favorites!