Happy 2013 everyone! I hope you all enjoyed a lovely New Year’s Eve and that the start of 2013 is treating you well :)

I was lucky enough to be travelling for much of the month of December (gotta love the Holidays!) so I didn’t discover too many new products I haven’t mentioned before, meaning this month’s favourites will be brief. When I travel, I stick to my current favourite products and tools, since I never know how I’ll like a newer product and like to avoid bringing items I may not like or use.

The first skincare product I enjoyed is the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, an Asian product mentioned in my recent Asian beauty haul post. This is truly a game-changer when it comes to removing your makeup: one pump massaged all over the face and eyes breaks down even waterproof makeup to allow it to be washed off gently with water. It prevents scrubbing your face and actually can even be used alone as a make-up remover, cleanser, and moisturizer in one. Given my eyes are quite sensitive, I love how well this tackles my mascara in particular. With other makeup removers, I sometimes find I still have residual mascara under my eyes in the morning, but this is greatly minimized with this product. I believe MAC and Shiseido among other brands make similar products, but at roughly $20-30 a bottle for a huge quantity, this one seems to be great value. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is available on Amazon, eBay, and select stores carrying Asian beauty products.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

The next skincare favourite of the month is a $1 item! The E.L.F. Zit Zapper is a basic solution comprised of salicylic acid, tea tree oil, witch hazel and camphor. Applying this on the occasional blemish has worked quickly and effectively to reduce its size and speed up the healing process, though I’m not a fan of the roller bar application as it does not seem sanitary in my opinion. This product receives a negative review on Beautypedia given it may produce excess oil, but I haven’t had any issues with that to date. You can find this product on eyeslipsface.com, Target.com and select Target stores.

E.L.F. Zit Zapper

The next product is a tinted lip balm, so it sort of falls in both the skincare and makeup categories. I picked up the Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Healthy Blush in the U.S. since it claims to improve the look and feel of your lips in addition to adding temporary moisture and a light hue. I’m really impressed with the colour payoff and the shade itself and love that I can apply it without a mirror. It’s available in a ton of shades too! Check it out on Amazon, eBay, or a U.S. drugstore.

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Healthy Blush

Swatch of Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Healthy Blush

I did a full review of this product recently so I won’t spend too much time on it here, but the Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream is a fabulous hydrating face base product. I wear this without a primer and can even layer more product on blemishes and redness to achieve a concealer-like coverage. This is the only face base product I’ve tried recently that doesn’t look cakey on my dehydrated skin. Available where Asian beauty products are sold, as well as on prettyandcute.com, Amazon, eBay, and others.

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

This next product has been my go-to blush for when I want to achieve a natural rosiness – one that looks most like a natural flush. The MAC Beauty Powder in Her Own Devices is a limited edition product from the 2010 Venomous Villains collection. I tried swatching it for photos but it didn’t show up well, and in applying it to the cheeks I definitely need to build it up to achieve a nice amount of pigment. Though it was limited edition, it appears to be available on eBay, though I can’t guarantee the authenticity of buying products from that site.

MAC Beauty Powder in Her Own Devices

As you’ll see in my upcoming December Empties post (up in a few days!) I used up my heat protectant spray, so I replaced it with the Tres Semme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray. This product receives really positive reviews and I’ve been so happy with it so far! It applies nicely (the spray has a wide circumference so it covers a good amount of hair) and it actually seems to contain some hold. My curls and waves seem to stay formed longer than with other heat protectants, and I can even forego hair spray and still have my style last pretty nicely. You can find this product at your local drugstore or online at Amazon, eBay, and other sites.

Tres Semme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

The standout nail polish of the month is the Butter London Nail Lacquer in Pillar Box Red. This is a beautiful bright tomato-red that goes on very opaque – one coat is often enough! Butter London polishes are quite pricey but the quality, colour payoff, and opacity is definitely there. I received this on sale in a three-pack from Coterie and I’m looking forward to trying out the other shades too. Check out this polish on Amazon and eBay.

Butter London Nail Lacquer in Pillar Box Red

Which beauty products did you love this month?