the end is where I begin

Here are my current five favorite beauty products.  All of them are pretty amazing!

1. Lancome CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base (long-winded, isn't it?)

This product is pretty cool since it has fibers suspended in a primer which thicken and lengthen your lashes.  I also noticed that I don't get panda eyes from wearing mascara when I have this on.  I wore it yesterday and after trekking across campus in the afternoon sun and heat...no panda eyes!  Even though I wear waterproof mascara, I still get panda eyes due to my oily skin (even with using eyeshadow primer)...but not any more!  I got this as a sample from Sephora, but I don't know about buying it...it is pretty pricey at $23!

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey

I got the travel size in my UD Midnight Cowboy Junkie set.  It's surprisingly the first neutral colored eye pencil I own by UD and I find myself using it more than any of my two favorites Woodstock or Junkie.  I've been obsessed with blending it out with eyeshadow on both my upper and lower outer lashlines--such a great color!

3. Urban Decay Lipstick in Peroxide

Lipsticks and I haven't gotten along for years ever since I tried my mother's (Revlon) and sister's (Clinique) back when I was way younger.  I figured UD would be a good place to attempt another acquaintance and, boy, I do love this color!  It's actually the same color as my natural lips, but has shimmer and a nice satiny finish.  However, the price of this, $22, is also a little steep since the amount of product doesn't utilize the entire capacity of the tube.

4. True Blue Spa Super-Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin

This baby has become a staple between my sister and I.  I also keep this size (the spa size) at my desk at work and a tube of it in my purse.  It moisturizes your hands with very little product and it's amazing if you work with papers all day.  The downside is that if you load up on too much product, it leaves an oily residue on your hands due to the paraffin (mineral oil solid).  Combine this with the TBS 60 Second Manicure Sugar Scrub and it's manicure heaven.  The tube is quite large at 5oz and retails for $18 at Bath and Body Works.  Get it on sale or after Christmas--then it's a steal!

5. Victoria's Secret Bombshell eau de parfum

I've probably mentioned this parfum more times than I ever remember mentioning any others...but it's so worth it.  I'm a total fan of citrus-based scents according to my history of perfumes (Clinique Happy, Ralph Lauren something or other--I can't remember!, DKNY Be Delicious, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom) and this one is probably my favorite so far.  According to the VS website, it's "a glamorous blend of purple passion fruit, Shangri-la yellow peony and vanilla orchid."  I still haven't bought the full size version yet since I've been waiting for NEX to bring in the 3.4oz size...but who knows when that'll happen.  I actually bought two travel size versions after Christmas (the last two I could find in the VS store) and they're almost all gone...sad!  I do own the body spray, but the scent doesn't last as long as the parfum's oil-base.  This is seriously on my to buy list!  This retails at $49 for the 1.7oz and $65 for the 3.4oz.  However, NEX sells the 1.7oz for $39.

Anything you've been loving recently?  I know I didn't put up a polish, but I change so often that it's hard to have a definite favorite!

--Cheryl