I skipped December Faves because all of my packages were delayed (yes, Amazon Prime too) and I didn’t use anything long enough to give it the Diva-Named-Dom-Stamp-of-approval. I purchased these items in December and have used them throughout the month of January. Finally, here they are! The latest products I’ve added to my glam arsenal. Enjoy!
Prada Amber Perfume
This scent is not new to me, but I re-purchased this fragrance after being out of it for a while. Prada fragrances are amongst my favorites because they’re so robust and long lasting! Amber actually smells awful upon first spritz (I know, I’m really selling it here) but as the scent dries down, it smell fabulous. This fragrance ALWAYS has women stopping me and asking me what I’m wearing. It’s a lesser known fragrance, but killer nonetheless. It’s has a deep, sweet scent with a hint of powder. It makes a great winter fragrance! The next time you’re at Sephora, spray it on yourself at the beginning of your shopping trip and tell me you don’t absolutely love it towards the end.
Cirépil Wax
When the French make things, you buy them. This wax is no different. Now that I’m thirty, I thought I’d grow up a bit and return to waxing. I didn’t bother spending the money from ages 25-29 because hardly anyone was down there except my gynecologist and he’s okay with however it comes. Alas, self care. Waxing instead of shaving is so much better for the skin and hair follicles. Because I’m so damn hairy, the frequency with which I’d need to wax means that I’d practically need weekly appointments so I needed a cost effective (with emphasis on effective) way to remove hair as it regrows.
After watching YouTube videos on how to wax my little friend, I ordered all my tools on Amazon and went for it (I’ll link everything below). I initially purchased Gigi’s Brazilian Hard Wax and for the love of God, DO NOT BUY THIS. It is such crappy wax. The wax doesn’t come off easily–it doesn’t dry as a whole strip and it breaks off mid-pull. It’s watery, like off-brand cheap syrup; it drips everywhere as you’re trying to splotch it on your body. It is downright painful to use. I headed back to Amazon for another go. On my original scout for supplies, I saw Cirépil wax and read the reviews. I didn’t buy it initially because I got the Gigi Brazilian Wax Kit and I thought it was a better value (because it came with everything you’ll need to wax right in the box including that God awful wax).
Cirépil wax is very similar to the wax used at European Wax Center. It is blue, thick, and easy to work with. It gets the majority of the hair on the first pull. If you want to save a few dollars and do it yourself or touch yourself up in between professional appointments, I would definitely consider investing in a wax kit. Make sure that this is the Brazilian hard wax that you invest in though!
Wax Pot | Tongue Depressant Sticks | Wax Cover Sleeves | Cirépil Wax
Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum
I use this serum from the Origins Original Skin collection as a makeup primer. It’s the ONLY product that keeps my makeup matte for an extended period of time. Typically, I am not one to walk around with a makeup bag to perform touch ups throughout the day. My skin absorbs the product well and it leaves me with a nice, smooth base layer. I like my skin to feel like skin and not like there is a gel layer above my skin (as some primers tend to do). Origins has recently expanded the Original Skin Collection product line. I just purchased the matching matte moisturizer from the Origins Original Skin Collection, too. If I like the moisturizer, it’ll make its way to February Faves.
Michel Designs Triple Milled Bath Soap Bar
This totally became a December Fave on accident. I received this beautiful bar of soap as a bridal shower keepsake and I planned to never use it because the packaging is SO beautiful… but I ran out of soap and needed to bathe at 4a. I literally oooo-ed when I opened the box; the smell is divine. That was the most luxurious shower I’ve ever taken. My skin felt super clean but not dry. The bar was moisturizing without being over-emollient. I took my happy little ass straight to Amazon to see how much money I need to budget for luxury soap for the rest of my life. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was more expensive than Dove, but less expensive than my car payment. We work very hard; why not indulge a bit after a long day? This soap is totally becoming a new part of my beauty regime!
NYX Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Ever since they discontinued my holy grail eyeliner by Max Studio, I’ve been walking around aimlessly looking for a replacement. Because my eyes are so small, it’s important for me to find a liquid eyeliner that has a precise applicator and a non-runny formula. It also needs to sit atop my eyeshadow and not separate from it.
Eureka! I think I’ve found it! This Matte Liquid Eyeliner is so bomb. It leaves a beautiful, jet black, matte line. If you like liquid eyeliner, definitely try this. Did I forget to mention it’s only about $7 USD??!?
These are just a few of my new favorite things! Stay tuned for February’s round-up!
Are we friends on Instagram?
Diva Named Dom 
“When the French make things, you buy them.”
No truer words were ever spoken! I love these January faves.
Also, I’ve never tried waxing because I’m too scared it might hurt so much. But I would looove to try it one day. Do you recommend that I go to a professional first or would it be okay if I start doing it myself?
xx Syahira
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Ahhh, you totally get me, Syahira! Honestly, I would recommend going to a professional if it’s your first time because each person has a different reaction to that quick jolt of pain. Also, there are about 3 layers of hair that are removed with your first waxing as opposed to the 1 maintenance level (read: more painful). It’s painful, but very brief. Totally worth the hairless 2 weeks! 💕
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Oh my god, the idea of waxing is TERRIFYING to me. I know I should, but hair removal cream is just so easy and painless ;-; Honestly, I’ll probably save up for laser because your girl is LAZY. Props to you though – waxing yourself is hardcore. Girls have to suffer for beauty and do men even appreciate it? xx
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Haha everything I do from now on will be FOR MEEEE. I really hate shaving more than I hate the 30 seconds of pain from waxing. Ironically, laser hair removal is pretty up there on my dream birthday gifts wishlist (alongside an avocado tree).
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I absolutely love the way you write! I feel like you’re speaking to me. I’ve actually never tried waxing in my life because it sounds so scary! I feel like it might totally be worth a try if I’d be hairless for 2 weeks! Hmmm… maybe once it gets warm in New England again 🤔😊
Xo Logan
https://peculiarporter.com
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Hahaha! That’s such a compliment! Thank you! Definitely try it! It’s really a bittersweet act. It hurts like hell in the moment but once you’re done, you’re done. And smooth. For 2 weeks. 😳 Thanks again for reading, Logan!
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That soap looks like it smells like heaven. I LOVE anything citrus and lemon!
Also, you are so great at taking the pictures for your blogs! They are always so creative!
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Oh my, it’s amazing! Honestly, truly. This is the best soap I’ve used in my entire life!! Thank you so much, Dom! I work really hard on my photos; thank you for noticing. 😉💕
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Loved it. Thank you for sharing this, will give the Prada a try !
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I luuuuurve it and I hope you will too! 💕 Thanks for reading!
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That eyeliner! ❤
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It’s so precise! I’m so happy I found it because the only other eyeliner I like is Dior’s for $32. I can’t afford myself. 😩 Thanks for reading! 💕
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Girl I’m all about a good cheap dupe !!!
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I’ll have to try that wax because I am guilty of using GiGi’s 🙋🏼♀️ and I just opened a new one so when I finish that one… I’m moving on to better things!
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Omg, more power to you girl because I DIED every time I had to wax myself!!!! 😳 I’m scarred.
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“When the French make things, you buy them.” hahahah i loved that line! This was such a cool post, my wish list is getting longer as we speak.
Abby – http://www.seafoaming.com
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I hear you, Abby! Other bloggers spend all of my money too! 😉
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Nyx eyeliner is so worth it 😀 And yass will give Prada a try ❤
xoxo,
BELLA
https://thebellestyle.wordpress.com/
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I must be late on the bandwagon because I’ve tried to re-purchase, and everywhere NYX is sold locally doesn’t have it in stock! Bananas.
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Oh my gosh. That soap is expensive?! Is it really worth it?! Waxing down there sounds so scary to me, haha, I’ve only gotten my eyebrows waxed before.
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Hunida, YES. The soap is totally worth it. It’s a huge bar so it’s like 2.5 bars of soap combined in one. I used it from the end of December and I still have about 3 weeks left on the bar. Even if not for you, it makes a wonderful gift (especially if you’re on a budget)! Waxing is a little scary down there to be honest. Once you get accustomed to your, uh… crevices, it’s less daunting. If you’ve never gotten waxed before I would try a professional session. You’d be amazed at how low maintenance hair removal can be. I’ve heard before that over time, repeated waxing can actually dull hair growth (but Idk the science behind it but I’m very hairy so I choose to believe this unconfirmed “fact” because I don’t have laser hair removal money just yet)!
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Okay, okay…I am currently running out of body wash so maybe I’ll splurge on that body soap!
Yeah..I’m scared to even let a pro do it, haha! Have you noticed that your hair is getting duller?? I also heard that your hair still grows back after laser hair removal.
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OMG it’s so totally worth it! My hair does get duller and easier to remove. I have heard that too about laser hair removal. It takes so many sessions of therapy that I don’t know if I can commit to it; plus, I heard it’s more painful than waxing. Waxing feels awful in the moment but it only lasts until the strip gets ripped off. The pain does not radiate.
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I’ve always wanted to try the Brazilian wax instead of being stuck in the Stone Age days with a razor. Reading your blog has me contemplating on doing it myself. Thanks for the suggestion.
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It’s a very intimate experience, that’s for sure! I would watch videos on YouTube for best practices and try it. Thanks for reading!
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I gotta try the NYX eyeliner I’m looking to switch mine up!!
Jenna
http://www.jennaleeann.com
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Soooo funny because Prada Amber is like my ALL TIME favorite fragrance ever
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It’s sooooo good and no one knows about it!
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