So, January’s favourites post is more than a few days late but it’s not because I forgot about sharing my monthly favourites in the slightest. I’ve actually been so busy, stressed, sick with this year’s horrible cold and piled with work to do that I haven’t been able to put my thoughts about my most loved products to pen and paper until this (long) weekend and now that I’ve had time, I managed to make myself so sleep deprived that it was not a possibility until now with the aid of caffeine. And when I say sleep deprivation, I slept maybe four or five hours on Wednesday and Thursday nights combined… and this wasn’t even stress induced as far as I’m aware.

Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil ($55)

To be honest with you here, I’m informing you that throughout January I’ve been using this soothing night oil treatment, not just at night before moisturizer — or by itself when I can barely be bothered to wash my face — but in the morning as well and have been loving slash enjoying it tremendously. In the latter weeks of the month I’ve come down with a cold so that factor, my generally dry and sensitive skin along with the authentic-Canadian-winter weather we’ve been having have lead me to seeking more moisture and calming action. This oil blend has been my guy – I’m unsure of what pronoun to use – for boosting that hydration and delicate skin situation with its plentitude of antioxidants and thin, lightweight but rich texture.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick ($9)

All month long my lips were as dry and as chapped as can be, even when taking my usual lip condition, the colder-than-cold weather and the onset of my cold into account. However, the situation would have been far more dire had I not had this lightweight soothing balm that both works fairly intensely and is effortless to use, both in terms of packaging and texture.

Pureology Curl Complete Moisture Melt Masque ($50)

It really should not be a shock that I fell in love with Pureology’s newest deep conditioner in January, after purchasing it towards the end of December, cringing as I thought about the price of the conditioning product, considering that I have a great track record with their pricy but concentrated hair care, particularly on the treatment front. Despite being wary of the inclusion of silicone, – amodimethicone in particular – I have been loving using this very hydrating but lightweight deep conditioner after washing my hair throughout the month but more than that, I’ve loved how concentrated the product is despite its gel-like texture, how its pump dispenser is much more practical in the shower, the intense way that it detangles my problematic hair with minimal effort and product along with the kind of amazing floral scent.

NUME Classic Reverse Wands ($30-139)

When I had woken up with generally questionable hair and had the time and effort to add some heat styling to the mix to remedy the situation, I’ve been reaching for the hyped-up brand’s conical wand that I picked up in December, at Winner’s after seeing it on for a good price and being frustrated with just how heat resistant my hair is. This is the only curling iron, or maybe even hot tool, that my hair will hold the shape of for multiple days and it actually heats up adequately – and in like twenty seconds – to actually be able to style my massive quantity of fine wavy hair in well under a half hour. The reverse wand style looks funny but I have gotten numerous compliments on the voluminous beachy curls that it provides – and it’s great for wavy or curly haired ladies who suffer from the flat and relatively straight top sections of hair, particularly at the front that have a penchant to look pathetic. I don’t know how it managed this feat, but my generally unpredictable hair holds the curls from this for multiple days with the teensiest amount of hairspray, even when I’ve been caught in the rain!

Quo 8-Piece Fall 2014 Brush Set ($30 – from $60)

At the beginning of January, I took the opportunity to pick up the Quo brush set when it was on sale for half price after being interested in trying some new brushes and realizing that I hadn’t actually tried any from the Shopper’s house brand. I have been in love and I would even have been in love if I had actually paid for the brushes in dollars rather than those lovely things known as Optimum Points. Overall, I have been massively impressed with the softness and quality of the brushes but my absolute favourites are the surprisingly firm crease brush – an amazing brush that sits halfway in between a traditional crease brush and everyone’s favourite MAC 217 -, the delightfully firm angled liner brush (for my brows), the traditionally shaped blush brush and the eyeshadow smudger brush – for a bit of that smoky action, particularly on the lower lashline.

Pixi Brightening Peach Correction Concentrate ($12)

I do love me a good corrector and after I spotted this relatively affordable salmon-toned offering in Target in late December, I couldn’t pass it up – and I’m glad I didn’t. It works in much the same way that my beloved Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Bisque does but with a slightly lighter weight but creamy formula and a more brightening paler hue, with more product and for a fraction of the price. I am not pleased that I will not be able to get my hands on these in the future because Target is leaving Canada…

Chanel Rouge Double Intensite in Darling Pink ($39)

There was one lip product that I found myself reaching for in January, whenever I had enough time to actually grab one before leaving the door and I’m sure you have a good clue of which one it was. I am even more surprised after falling in love with the non-sticky two step lip colour that wears like glue that this expensive formula does not receive more buzz, as it does the unthinkable with these long-lasting formulas, lasting a good six hours through eating and drinking that actually feels comfortable on the lips. It also amazes me that I’ve loved the muted pale rosy pink shade, being someone who kind of cringes as the thought of pink lip products on themselves. Unfortunately, I believe this shade is limited edition – but the formula is not, fortunately.

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Cuir Cannage ($63)

Speaking of products that I loved throughout January that shouldn’t surprise regular readers of my blog, I have my latest Dior quint and while it might not elevate itself above the status of the absolutely-phenomenal-but-unfortunately-now-discontinued Grege offering, it has come close with its amazing textures and versatility as a warm neutral eyeshadow palette (with that interesting element of plum smokiness). The palette has a shimmery ivory champagne, a golden-tinged shimmery taupe, a gorgeous metallic plum, a medium toned matte brown and a satin purple-tinged black and I have been reaching for all five of these shades throughout the month for my typical neutral but kind-of-smokey eye. The blackened plum has been particularly intriguing in my experience because of how easily the pigmented shade can be used with an angled brush for effortless soft liner. If you’re looking for a small but all-inclusive palette, you would likely be satisfied with this one if you were wondering.

 What did you love in January?

Maggie, x.