Favorite Beauty Finds of 2014

I'm not a makeup artist or beauty blogger ~ fashion is my thing ~ but I do love great makeup and beauty products!  I've discovered several new products in the past year that have become favorites and staples in my daily beauty routine and I want to share them with you because they are all too fabulous to keep to myself!!

Urban Decay Naked On The Run
I just got this amazing makeup kit for Christmas (thanks Santa) and I'm already obsessed!  Best makeup kit I've ever used.  I've been a huge fan of Urban Decay and the Naked line for a while now but this everything-in-one-place-perfect-for-on-the-go-or-at-home pallet is perfection!  It's got 6 perfect-for-anyone neutral eyeshadows (with a double sized base/highlighter shadow), a bronzer, blush, full-sized lipgloss, eyeliner and the best mascara I've ever used all in one fabulous kit!  I've already ordered another one so I have a backup once this one runs out (which will be a while but a girl's got to be prepared!)

Julep Bare Face Cleansing Oil and Julep Night Shift Sleeping Mask
These two skin care products have changed my skin for the better!  If you follow me on Instagram or read my blog on the regular (both things you should do, btw...) then you know how much I love all things Julep!!  Seriously, every single thing I have ever gotten from them I have loved, from the nail polishes to the lipglosses, pedi products to the skincare, it's all amazing.  I had never used a face cleansing oil or a sleeping mask before these two showed up in my mailbox but I am so glad I gave them a try!  My skin is softer, firmer (needed when you're trying to avoid botox and fillers!!), clearer, more even and just healthier overall!!  Try them out ~ you will be glad you did! 

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
My cousin introduced me to this little gem back in October and I have been using it daily ever since.  My makeup really does go on smoother, looks more even and stays on longer.  I really didn't see the reason to use a primer before but I sure do now! (Thanks, Suz!)

Juelp Freedom Polymer Top Coat
I could have filled up this entire post with Juelp products I love them all so much but this top coat is really something to brag about!  Follow the directions and your mani will last a full seven days (or more).  Really, try it, you'll love it too!  (And right now they are on sale two for $20!)

Revlon Colorburst
I can't get enough of these Revlon Colorburst lip-stains and balms!  Fun colors, wear-all-day staying power and budget friendly so you can have lots of different hues for different looks!  Sweetheart Valentine is my favorite go-to color!

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
I only wash my hair once or twice a week.  It's so much healthier since I stopped washing and drying every day or every other day!  But what do you do in between washings so you don't look like a greasy head?  Use a fabulous dry shampoo like this one!  I've tried a lot of dry shampoos and there are a lot of good ones out there but this one is by far my favorite!  It really gives your hair an extra day (or two) before it needs washing and it smells AMAZING!!

So there they are ~ my favorite beauty and makeup finds of 2014!  Have you tried any of these products or found some favorites you'd like to share?

XO
Elizabeth

A New Way to DIY Your Mani

If you know me you know that 99.9% of the time my nails are polished.  I feel naked without having the hue of the week on my very short (by choice) nails.  For years, literally from the time I could drive until about five years ago, I would head to the nail salon every two weeks to have acrylic nails put on or filled in and painted.  I went through the whole French Mani phase, then red/red phase, and then soft baby pink phase but whatever the phase or current nail trend I was heading to the salon to get it done.  Then about five years ago I got tired, tired of trying to find the time (and the extra cash) to go to the nail salon every two weeks so I decided to experiment with DIY at home mani's.  I've used just about every brand of polish on the market and every trick in the book to finally get to what I think is the perfect-lasts-for-seven-days DIY mani (I need to do a how-to post on that in the near future).  And as of today my DIY mani's just got easier!  Julep has invented the most amazing nail polishing tool called the Plie´ Wand.  The Plie´ Wand helps you have more accuracy and control while polishing your nails, especially when polishing with your non-dominate hand.  It's so easy to use, you just swap, snap, polish and switch.  The wand works with any Julep polish with a Plie´ compatible cap.  You can also get the Plie´ Wand Creativity Kit that comes with a dotting tool and a striping brush to use along with your Plie´ Wand to get super creative with your DIY mani's!  I've been a Julep Maven (Julep's monthly subscription service) for about eight months now and I have loved every single polish and product I've received from them.  Julep isn't just fabulous nail polishes but they also do skincare (I'm OBSESSED with this Bare Face Cleansing Oil, it's totally changed my skin), makeup, hair and body products as well as everything you need for at home mani's and pedi's!

My DIY mani basics ~
rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, nail file, orange stick, base coat, polymer top coat, polish and quick dry drops

Plie´ Wand

My current mani (done with the Plie´ Wand) ~ Kayla

One of my favorites ~ Maddy

A sheer pink and sheer white, perfect for summer ~ Maren and Soraphine

For more details about the Plie´ Wand you can check out Julep's blog here (there is even a how-to video) and if you are interested in becoming a Julep Maven you can get started here! (You will be glad you did!)

XO
Mz Savvy Style


I was not compensated for this post but was asked by Julep to review the Plie´ Wand and share my honest opinion with you and I was more than happy to!

Linking up with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Working Girl With Style and Summer Style