Things I Loved in 2014 | Sephora Buys

This weekend was a banner one for me. I didn’t do anything work-related! I wore something other than PJs every day! I went to Sephora and hit VIB Rouge status!

Shit.

That means I have spent way too much money on products in a calendar year. Well, at least I can share my terrifying knowledge with you, my People. Most of these products didn’t debut in 2014, but I spent my money on them in 2014 and, to me, it justifies a Best Of list. ‘Tis the season!

1 | I’m going to let you in on a dirty little bit ginger secret – I only wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week. Any more than that would ruin my color and dry out my curls. How do I avoid looking like a dirt ball? Dry shampoo and shower caps. Drybar became my main addiction of the year, and their products smell like heaven. You know, if heaven was a fruity booze drink. (Oh man, I really hope that’s what heaven is like.)

2 | This year I finally nailed a skin care routine that works well enough that I – gasp! – leave the apartment without foundation on a regular basis. I even went to work with nothing but mascara on twice last week. Well, mascara and my Josie Maran moisturizer. Ginger Rule #1: Never skip the SPF.

3 | At night I swap the moisturizer for NUDE treatment oil.The price ($78) made me freak out when I first took the plunge, but one bottle has lasted almost a full year and I haven’t had buyer’s remorse. I don’t know what all the omegas and stuff do technically, but I feel like my skin is less oily and softer since I started to regularly make this part of my evening.

4 | There’s nothing in particular that sets the Sephora brand mask apart from similar products, but $6 is way cheaper than a facial and it doesn’t result in a post-spa breakout.

5 | I like anything that makes lip color simple. The Bite high pigment pencils are basically crayons. It’s like make-up for kindergarteners. Weirdly advanced kindergarteners, sure, but I think you know where I’m going with this.

6 | Lashes for days. That is all.

7 | I enjoy purple. You’ve seen my glasses. For a blah blah blah, yawn, nothing-fancy going on kind of day, purple lashes are a pop of fun and occasionally a conversation starter. People never see purple mascara coming.

8 | Zits happen. They just go away a lot faster if you attack them with a tiny dot of Murad spot treatment.

9 | Chapped lips are the inevitable result of a dry apartment, winter weather, and nocturnal mouth breathing. Not cute and not conducive to a proper lipstick application. Fresh lip polish and good hydration are essentials.