Happy 2014! How did everyone ring in the New Year? After a meat and potato-filled dinner date with my husband, we settled in at home. Partially because of the snow and cold – PJs sounded so cozy! – but also because we wanted to binge on the last few episodes of Breaking Bad. I watched entirely too many episodes over the holidays and it was heavy. I’m pretty sad it’s all over.
I spent much of New Year’s Day doing some much-needed organizing and spa-ing at home. Nothing like a detoxifying mask to kick start your year! And, I’m starting my 2014 beauty routine off on a rosy note. Literally.
If you were to sneak into my skin care shelf, you’d see that rose oil is a common ingredient in my favorites. Rose is the most valuable of all essential oils — it takes more than 5,000 petals to even produce a single drop! At the top of my list is Tammy Fender Quintessential Serum, a highly concentrated anti-aging serum that feeds skin and gives immediate radiance. This stuff is no joke! It is perfect for the winter months as it acts like a blanket for the skin (in a good way). The ingredients are powerful enough to undo many a skin care sins. I rarely use facial lotions these days, but really like Weleda Rose Smoothing Lotion. The texture is light and it layers well over serums and other treatments. The price is fantastic and it just smells so incredible that I just can’t help but breathe it in.
I’ve also been slathering my lips in R.L. Linden & Co’s La Balmba Rosa balm. The ingredient list is stellar — Bulgarian rose, meadowfoam, avocado and coconut oil, and more. I don’t wear lipstick without slathering this on first. Also, it’s thanks to the Linden Beauty ladies that I heard about this rose shampoo! I must try.
Sonia Kashuk did it again with this floral printed brush set. I can’t even believe the quality of each of the five brushes for under $15. The blush brush is the perfect density and size and I love the angled foundation brush with my Kjaer Weis foundation. Also, the perfect brightening lip color? Look no further than the rosy-hued Laqa & Co Lil’ Lip Duo. These chubby little lip crayons are the cutest things ever and super moisturizing on lips (shea butter, baby!