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October Beauty Favorites 2015 ~ Hair, Skin, Makeup

I’ve got my beauty favorites to share with you this month. Some are new and some I’ve been using for a while, but they all help me to up my beauty game, so they’re all winners in my book!

Let’s start at the top with hair care products!

I have 3 different heat styling tools that I rotate through using, but lately 2 of them have been gathering dust while one (the InStyler*) has been my constant companion! I’ve been traveling a lot lately and I pack the InStyler instead of a blow dryer. I’m hair-challenged so I’ve never been able to use a standard curling iron, flat iron, or blow dryer + round brush for that matter. With the InStyler I can create polished looking straight styles, beachy waves, or flipped ends. I love it for fixing rumpled 2nd day, slept-in hair so I don’t have to wet and re-dry it.

Before I use my InStyler I protect my hair with Nexxus Pro Mend Heat Protector Spray*. I’ve tried loads of heat protecting sprays and this is the only one that doesn’t leave my hair stiff and crunchy! It makes my hair silky and shiny and protected from the heat of the InStyler.

To finish off the style and help it last, I use Healthy Sexy Hair Soy-Touchable Hold Hairspray. This came highly recommended by so many readers I had to try it, and I fell in love with it instantly! It doesn’t go on wet and ruin my style, it doesn’t dry stiff of sticky. My hair stays touchable and using these 3 products, my style stays for 2 days!

Moving on to skincare, I’ve switched up a couple items in my skincare routine recently.

I’ve switched my Timeless Matrixyl 3000 serum for Timeless CoEnzymeQ10 Serum. A viewer told me to check it out because the CoQ10 serum also contains Matrixyl 3000 in the same amount as the Matrixyl serum! The CoQ10 serum is pale yellow and thicker than the Matrixyl serum. It glides on easily but takes a little longer to dry and is slightly tacky until it’s totally dry so I like the texture of the original Matrixyl serum better, but I’m going to stick with the CoQ10. Why not get 2 anti-aging ingredients in one little bottle? See shopping links below for my coupon code for $5 off at Timeless!

Since I stopped using a Clarisonic to wash my face at night I’ve been looking for a way to clean my skin more thoroughly and get non-irritating exfoliation. I’d heard about Konjac Sponges which are a Japanese face care staple. They’re made from a root vegetable so they’re all natural. When dry the sponge is hard and scratchy but when it absorbs water it puffs up and gets soft. I’ve found this one for sensitive skin at Target and I’ve been happily using it every night! It’s anti-bacterial so it won’t contribute to breakouts, but it does need to be replaced every 1-3 months.

On to Makeup where I’ve found a Holy Grail Foundation and Lipstick!

On the advice of a famed makeup artist in Paris (the perks of being a blogger!!) I tried Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet for Foundation Friday for Over 50 back in August. Thanks to Arnaud, I’d finally found my HG foundation!! I love everything about it, it’s easy to apply with fingers, gives sheer-medium coverage, dries velvety smooth, doesn’t settle into wrinkles or pores, and makes my skin look better and more youthful than it is! My only complaint about it is that it doesn’t go on well over silicone based products like my favorite sunscreens Exuviance and HydroPeptide. To get around that I use Laura Mercier Foundation Primer between them, or I can use Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 47.

Where was Too Faced La Creme Lipstick when I did my lipstick testing 18 months ago? It would have been the hands down winner! This lipstick is so creamy and moisturizing and long-wearing that I’m giving it HG status too. My favorite shade is “Spice Spice Baby” which is the perfect pinky nude. It’s not too brown, not too pink, not too rust, not too light, not too dark. I feel like Goldilocks when I say it’s “Just Right”.

My aging lips need all the help they can get in the plumpness department so I’m always on the hunt for a good lip plumper. Soap & Glory recently sent me their Pillow Plump XXL Sexy Mother Pucker in “Pinkwell” to try and I’m so happy they did! It smells and tastes delicious and has a nice tingle that lets me know it’s working. It gives me a little plump and a little shine when used over lipstick or lip liner, and it also looks good on it’s own. It doesn’t make my lips bigger so much as puffs out the center making them look smoother but still natural!

My last 2 favorites this month are my Crystal Hera statement necklace and Ion bracelet from BaubleBar. I love how this necklace sits lower on the chest so it draws the eye down away from the neck (which can be a problem area at my age), and the bracelet is cool and modern and adds just a little sparkle to the wrist! These two pieces go great with both casual and dressy outfits and the quality is really good for the price! See shopping links below for my coupon code for 25% off at BaubleBar!

**DISCOUNT CODES**
25% OFF BaubleBar Jewelry*! Use code: HOTANDFLASHY at BaubleBar.com (New customers only, Valid until 11/25/15)

$5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link*: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)

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Shopping Links for Products Mentioned:
InStyler*: Amazon or Ulta
Nexxus Pro Mend Heat Protecting Spray*: Amazon or Ulta
Healthy Sexy Hair Soy-Touchable Hairspray*: Amazon or Ulta
Timeless Skincare Coenzyme Q10 Serum*: www.timelessha.com
Konjac Sponge*: Target
Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet*: Nordstrom
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer*: Sephora
Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector SPF 50 Sunscreen*: Ulta
HydroPeptide SPF 30 Sunscreen*: Amazon
Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer SPF 47*: Sephora
Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in “Spice Spice Baby”*: Ulta or Sephora
Soap & Glory Pillow Plump Lip Plumper*: Amazon or Ulta

* Marked links are affiliate links. If you click the link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra. If you do choose to use the link, thank you for supporting the blog!

26 Responses to "October Beauty Favorites 2015 ~ Hair, Skin, Makeup"

Jane says:

February 14, 2016 at 11:43 am

Hello Angie – I am using many of your recommended products, including your morning and nighttime anti-aging regimen and love it. The only negative is that my eyelids and undereye areas are really dry and flaky. I have been searching for a recommended super moisturizer in your blogs and cannot find one. I have a tube of Retin-A in my drawer that is ready for me to start using, but I feel like I need to hydrate my eyes before I start using it once a week. Can you help? Thanks! – Jane

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  February 14, 2016 at 1:59 pm
  
  Hi Jane~ When my skin’s super dry I either add coconut oil as a last step at night, or I use Aveeno Eczema Relief Cream until it gets back to normal. Hope that helps. xo ~a.
  
  Reply
  1. Jane says:
    
    February 15, 2016 at 8:37 am
    
    Thank you! I’ll start today!! I can use my regular organic coconut oil from the kitchen, correct?
    
    Reply
Karen says:

January 4, 2016 at 9:50 am

I was given Gold Bond Softening/Shea butter skin therapy lotion as a gift. My skin is Extremely dry…(northern minnesota…use humidifier 24/7. Really like it but.. do i use it first and then the products you list or is this sufficient and i can skip the moisterizer. (Sorry new computer and havent found my spell-check yet.

Reply
Susanne Delaney says:

November 17, 2015 at 3:04 pm

Hi Angie….. Have you ever tried the Timeless Hyaluronic Acid or is duplicating the ingredients you are already using in the other two serums? Any thoughts on it?

Thank you!
Susanne

Reply
Debra says:

November 17, 2015 at 10:35 am

Hi Angie – I’ve been following you for a while . I tried the It CC your Skin but Better based on your reviews and I LOVE IT. My face has finally stopped breaking out in my late 40’s! How do you compare the Chanel foundation to the It? Also, I need a great highlighter with no sparkle. Any suggestions?

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 17, 2015 at 1:31 pm
  
  Hi Debra, The IT was never Holy Grail for me because it gets shiny in the afternoon and is improved with setting powder. The Chanel doesn’t need any setting powder and doesn’t change throughout the day but it is pickier about what I can wear under it. The only highlighter without sparkle that I know of is PUR Afterglow Illuminating Powder or IT Cosmetics Hello Light (it has shimmer but not sparkle).
  
  Reply
Mic says:

November 7, 2015 at 12:01 pm

Hi Angie,
Have you used the InStyler Wet to Dry? Does it damage the hair? Or do you still use a blow dryer for wet hair?
Thanks!

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 11, 2015 at 5:52 pm
  
  I haven’t used the wet/dry InStyler and probably wouldn’t as it does seem more damaging to the hair. I either blow dry or air dry before using my InStyler.
  
  Reply
Debbie says:

November 6, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Hey Angie, thank you, thank you! I found your site at the perfect time. I had been researching on several anti aging skin care products on my own, so I really value the enormous work you have done. But even better is a lot of what you recommend has made a huge difference for me. My face loves the change! I pass a mirror and look twice and can’t believe the difference. I look forward to the benefits after a longer period of use. Your honest, put yourself out there is so rare to find and makes you feel like an instant friend. Thank you! Debbie

Reply
Roxanne says:

November 4, 2015 at 2:57 pm

Hi Angie,

What shade/color of the Chanel foundation are you wearing? I think my skin tone is similar to yours. Love these favorites posts, thank you for sharing them!

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 5, 2015 at 3:49 pm
  
  I wear Beige 40 in the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet.
  
  Reply
  1. Roxanne says:
    
    November 16, 2015 at 6:12 pm
    
    Thank you Angie!
    
    Reply
Brenda says:

November 2, 2015 at 5:50 pm

Hi Angie, Have you dropped Timeless Vitamin C serum for Timeless Coenzyme Q10 serum as part of your daily routine?

I really like the results I’m getting with Science Serum TightEye. Do you use this on your eyelids or just around the eye?

Thank you, Brenda

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 2:03 pm
  
  Hi Brenda~ I haven’t dropped Timeless Vitamin C Serum, I still use it every day. I switched Timeless Matrixyl 3000 serum for Timeless CoQ10 serum. So happy to hear you like TightEye!! I don’t put it on my eyelids, just under the eyes.
  
  Reply
  1. Lynne says:
    
    November 3, 2015 at 5:27 pm
    
    Hi Angie,
    
    I currently use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum, and am happy with it except for the price tag. I recently placed an order for Timeless Ce Ferulic and CoQ10 based on your reviews. How do you layer these two serums? Do you put both on AM and PM?
    
    I also purchased an Instyler and LOVE it! I am not good at curling irons/ straighteners and I don’t have a lot of time. I found it easy to work with and love the result. I would also highly recommend it to anyone thinking about it. It only had a rating of 3.7 on the Ulta site- I don’t understand that. The Instyler with the Nexxus heat protector is a win/win. Thanks for all your reviews! We really do appreciate the time and effort you put into it!
    
    Reply
Lynn says:

November 1, 2015 at 10:19 pm

Hi Angie, I just want to “Thank you” first for the awesome work you do at Hot and Flashy. You have taught me so much, and I am grateful. Angie, I am ready to make a new purchase and can’t decide between the Kiss Insta Wave or the Instyler. My hair is your length, I do like to have some waves/curls in it, I don’t like to wear my hair straight as I feel it ages me. After washing my hair, I let it air dry. I do want my new tool to be gentle on my hair. Will you please give me “your” pros and cons on both styling tools. Thank you, thank you Angie! Keep doing what you do.
~Lyn

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 2:11 pm
  
  Hi Lyn~ The Instyler is great at doing a couple of different looks from straight to curly, it has 2 heat settings, but can be difficult to use until you get the hang of it. Kiss InstaWave is good for making one kind of curl only, it also has 2 heat settings and is easy to use. If I could only have one, I’d go with the InStyler because it’s more versatile and I can use it to style my side-bangs as well! Let me know which one you choose… xo ~angie
  
  Reply
  1. Lynn says:
    
    November 4, 2015 at 7:45 am
    
    Hi Angie, “THANK YOU” so much for your input on the Instyler/Insta Wave, I truly appreciate it! After work, it’s to Ulta to purchase the Instyler, I can’t wait to try it out!
    And another “Thank you” to Lynne for the information too.
    ~Lynn
    
    Reply
Holly says:

November 1, 2015 at 3:08 pm

Angie,

I was wondering if you have to use the Scienceserum tight eye everyday ?

Thanks,
Holly

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 2:12 pm
  
  You don’t have to, but results are better if you use it every day.
  
  Reply
April says:

October 31, 2015 at 9:15 pm

Hi Angie! Is there a reason you stopped using your Clarisonic? Just wondering. Thx!

Reply
1. Angie says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 2:17 pm
  
  Yes, I had noticed after going on vacation without the Clarisonic that my acne cleared up. When I got home and started using it again, I broke out. I think the heads are great places for bacteria to grow (even though I washed mine with soap after every use)!
  
  Reply
Paula says:

October 30, 2015 at 7:42 pm

Hi Angie! How does the Nexxus compare to Schwartzkopf Guardian Angel, which used to be the heat protection spray you liked and recommended before?

Thanks! <3

Reply
1. Fabfifty says:
  
  October 31, 2015 at 3:10 pm
  
  I have the exact same question?
  Thanks
  
  Reply
2. Angie says:
  
  November 3, 2015 at 2:22 pm
  
  The Nexxus ProMend has replaced Guardian Angel. I liked Guardian Angel okay but it was hard to control the amount and not over wet the hair which would then be a little crunchy. I much prefer the Nexxys ProMend!
  
  Reply

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