Best of Beauty 2015

This is a list of the beauty products I used the most throughout 2015. These are the products that work best for me and that I would recommend to people.

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix
Tinted Moisturizer: BareMinerals Complexion Rescue
Powder: Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder
Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Blush: Tarte Exposed and MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul
Bronzer: Tarte Park Avenue Princess Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer (not pictured)
Highlighter: Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter in Smoke N Whistles
Mascara: Covergirl Clump Crusher
Single Eyeshadow: Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Truth
Eyeshadow Palette: Lorac Pro Palette
Luxury Lipstick: Chanel Adrienne
MAC Lipsticks: Faux and Brave
Budget Friendly Lipstick: Colourpop Lippie Stix in Kiddo (sheer) and Brink (matte)
Lip Balm: NUXE Rêve de Miel (not pictured)
Eyeshadow Primer: NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (not pictured)
Face Primer: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Makeup Setting Spray: L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

UPDATED 2015 Beauty Goals

At the beginning of 2015 I wanted to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to lipstick. I used to wear MAC Syrup all the time. 2016 was my year of appreciating nude lipstick shades. Now my go-to shade is either MAC Faux or Chanel Adrienne. Both are more nude than I used to wear but are not adventurous or bold shades. I did develop a liking for MAC Velvet Teddy, which does stand out on me. I've also worn MAC Soar with NARS Anna on top of it. That's probably the boldest I went. I tried the NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella only one. I'll call this one a success; while, I haven't worn bold lipsticks, I've expanded my lipstick shades as I don't wear MAC Syrup every single day anymore.

My second goal was to find the perfect eye cream. I'm still on a quest to find one...

My third was a about finding a face mask that wouldn't irritate my skin. It was a success because I found the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey face mask. My skin loves this stuff.

My final beauty goal of 2015 was to find a good base coat and top coat. I've been loving the Orly Bonder base coat. I like using Essie gel setter as my top coat, but I think it works best when used in conjunction with an Essie nail polish. I've achieved this one as well.

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

Happy New Year!

It's a new year. The old is gone and the new has come. 2015 was a tough year for me. I've had to make one of the most difficult decisions in my life. I had to let go of a dream that I've held onto for a long time and I had to find a new one. And that's ok. Life throws many surprises your way. When one door closes another one opens. It may take some time to find that door; however, you get there, eventually. I'm thankful that God always provides a way. I know that God has bigger plans for me than I have for myself. His plans go beyond our wildest dreams. I hope that 2016 will be a prosperous year full of joy, love and laughter. I wish you the best of health and happiness. May all your dreams come true. You were meant for greatness.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

Link Love #2

I'm back with another post about things I've been watching, listening to, and cooking recently.

Music:
This is Your Fight Song (Rachel Platten Scottish Cover) - The Piano Guys. This just sounds amazing. The Scottish scenery is breathtaking. It's something really nice to watch and listen to. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
Hanap-Hanap - James Reid & Nadine Lustre. JaDine is bae. While I don't understand tagalog it didn't stop the song from getting stuck in my head. James and Nadine's voices sound amazing together. I also looked up the lyrics to this song in English. The video is adorable.
Christmas Medley | Anthem Lights. I love Christmas and I love Anthem Lights. Put those together and you get something amazing. Their harmonies are perfect. I could listen to this song all day.
The Prayer - David Archuleta & Nathan Pacheco. These two have amazing voices on their own, but together they're extraordinary. I love how the song is both English and Italian because it brings back memories of singing Italian hymn for me. Their take on this song is beautiful.

Watching:
Vlogmas. December is my favourite time of year to watch Youtube videos because my most of my favourite Youtubers to Vlogmas, which if you don't know is vlogging every day till Christmas. Some of my favourite people to watch this year are Donal Skehan, Fleur, Lily Pebbles, Amelia Liana and Zoella (she has the best into.)
The Peanuts Movie. I remember watching Charlie Brown as a kid. This movie makes my inner child happy. It's so nostalgic to see your favourite characters come to life again. It's sure to make you laugh. If you're looking for a feel-good film watch this.

Food:
Cabbage Roll Casserole. I've never been a big fan of cabbage rolls, but I actually loved this casserole version of the dish. It's an updated way to eat a classic. I think the fact that it's covered in cheese and baked is what made it for me.
Honey Sriracha Chicken. I love when a dish has a mix of sweet and spicy and that is exactly what you get in this dish. I love sriracha, which is the main reason I made this.
Hunan Dumplings. Dumplings covering in a peanut sauce. What more can you ask for. It's delicious.
Sausage Rolls. I feel like Donal has updated this classic appetizer. Everyone loves a good sausage roll. I haven't made them yet, but I plan to make them for Christmas.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. I love anything chocolate. I like to find healthier ways of having a sweet treat without skimping on flavour. This is a good one. The zucchini keeps the muffins moist. When you eat it you wouldn't even think that there's a vegetable in it.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

November & December Favorites!

This was going to be my November favorites post, but since I've also been loving these things in December I decided to combine them into one post. There are my November and December monthly favorites.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighters in Wisp and Monster
I'm a huge fan of Colourpop highlighters. I may eventually buy them all. They're easy to apply and they give your cheeks a beautiful glow. Wisp is a golden champagne shade that is said to be a dupe for Becca Opal. I was afraid it would be too dark on me but it's actually really nice; therefore, it's a shade that will look flattering on everyone. Monster is unlike anything I own. It's a pale pink with an iridescent duo-chrome finish. It gives you a serious glow. I've been alternating between the two, so I couldn't pick one to be my favorite because I love them both.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure
This blush has been on my wishlist for a long time. I bought it as a birthday gift to myself, which coin-sided with the Sephora VIB sale. I would descibe it as a neutral mauvy shade. It's a shade that you can't get wrong. It works with many different looks because it won't overpower bold eyes or lips. It's shimmery but it's subtle. I love pairing it with Colourpop's Monster for extra glow.

Essie Angora Cardi
I bought this shade because I saw Amelia wearing it in a lot of her video. It's described as a deep rose purple. I had trouble coming up with a description of it because it's not purple and it's not pink. I guess I would call it a muted plum. It's a beautiful shade. I think it's underrated because it's a dark but not vampy and it can often get overlooked. I glanced over it for years and now I can't imagine my collection without it. It wears 4 days on me with very little chipping. The formula is amazing. I could have gotten away with one coat but I always prefer to apply two coats. I think this is a shade that everyone needs in their collection.

Random Favorites

Music:
One Thing - Hillsong Worship
Rise As One - TVQX!
One Love - E.D.E.N.
The First Noel (Holy is the Lord) - Hillsong Worship
Merry Christmas Everyone - Rend Collective

K-Dramas:
Mrs. Cop (available on dramafever and viki)
You're All Surrounded (available on dramafever and viki)
Reply 1988  (available on dramafever)

Books:
Finding Perfect by Kendra C. Highley

Food
Healthy Pasta Bake from The Chiappas 

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥