My January skincare & makeup SECRET WEAPON list:

☑ “How do I love thee?” My Korean DERMAL Collagen Facial Masks (set of 16 for $10). “Let me count the ways”. Buy these pronto. If you don’t believe me, check out the 1,444 reviews of these sheet masks in varying flavors: citrus, cucumber, charcoal, green tea, royal jelly and more. I didn’t even follow the recommended leave on time and still immediately felt a difference in my skin’s texture. It’s like a cold shower for the face. Incredibly refreshing.

☑ oh k! Latex free Cleansing Pad (set of 2 for $8). They remove makeup, gently exfoliate, and invigorate.

☑ “Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends”. I am refilling with water my used up NONESUCH Fresh Glow Face Oil with Anti-Oxidant Rich Botanicals from Land and Sea (1.2 oz $50.00). There is something about the residue of oil mixed with cold water that works to make my skin look and feel energized even better than with Evian spray. Plus it’s more ecological reusing the glass bottle. This is my constant winter companion that feels like a comforting trusted “old friend”. For more about this lovely new natural skincare brand here is IN THE MOOD DISCOVERY (NONESUCH MAINE SKINCARE).

☑ L’Oreal’s Telescopic mascara $10. I’ve previously recommended this as my favorite partner with L’Oreal Voluminous Original mascara to fake a false eyelash look. Lately when I literally have no time to get ready I find myself reaching for this. Read IN THE MOOD FOR ZING (MASCARA & FALSE EYELASHES). Eye makeup application tip from fabulous Lisa Eldridge: dot black or brown gel or pencil eyeliner in between lashes.

☑ Almay Intense I-Color Eyeshadow Softies in lilac $4. I mention this because of the shade more than anything else. I noticed while using the app Perfect365 which eyeshadow shades really made an instant difference in brightening. If it works in virtual reality it should work in reality. Surprisingly it wasn’t easy to find a light shade of purple (lavendar/lilac), with low level pearl, in a single pot (not in a package that has several other shades I don’t need) but I finally found it. While the effect on me isn’t quite as dramatic as in virtual reality, I do like it. It definitely brightens my whole eye area (I use it above and below the lid). So the lesson here is this. Use those makeup apps to experiment with makeup colors on pictures of yourself, then try them out for real. If you’re curious, here is a previous post IN THE MOOD FOR A SELFIE with reviews of three selfie perfecting apps and before/after photographs of me in my lavendar/lilac. Eye makeup application tip from Lisa Eldridge: you really only need to apply 1 maybe 2 eyeshadow shades.

For more beauty secret weapons, here is IN THE MOOD FOR CLARITY and IN THE MOOD FOR MORE DISCOVERY (MAKANAI JAPANESE CLEANSING SPONGE) and IN THE MOOD FOR POWER (CERAVE SKINCARE & COVER GIRL FOUNDATION).

Moodsey is about sharing not selling and does not receive proceeds from purchase of these recommended brands.