From beauty essentials to at-home entertainment, these are the January 2021 favorites that brought me joy during the gray days of winter!!
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Hello, there and welcome to FEBRUARY!! I hope you and all of your loved ones are staying healthy and well during a somewhat bleak start to the year. Today, I want to resurrect the idea of sharing monthly favorites and reflect back on everything I was loving throughout January.
Monthly favorite posts such as this used to be routine in the blogosphere and ones I too enjoyed pulling together in the past. Then time evolved and for whatever reason I found myself getting away for them. But truthfully? I feel like monthly favorites should once again have a place here on DreaminLace!
What I particularly like about sharing favorites each month is that I can give kudos to things I might otherwise never mention. I can celebrate things that sparked some joy in my life without having to write a full essay about it in a dedicated post. So, let’s bring these throwback-style posts BACK to the forefront and take a look at the January 2021 favorites that made an otherwise GRAY and dreary month more enjoyable.
January 2021 Favorites
SHAPE Magazine
To kick off my list of January 2021 favorites — let’s talk about SHAPE magazine. It was my FAVORITE back in the day but for whatever reason I let my subscription run out and haven’t read it in years. Well, late in 2020 I subscribed again and have rediscovered how fantastic it is. From Tracee Ellis Ross to Jessica Chastain on the latest issue, SHAPE always features insightful interviews with some of Hollywood’s most beloved leading ladies. But in addition to that, it features a lot of content to help improve your overall wellbeing. From recipes to workout tips to great food for thought articles, it really is a well-rounded magazine and one I look forward to reading every month!
Jason Wu Beauty Eyeliner
I’ll be sharing many more thoughts on the newly launched Jason Wu Beauty line soon, but as a sneak peak — I have to give major props to the Jason Wu eyeliner! It applies so smoothly and evenly that I find myself saving time in the morning. It also lasts ALL day long and doesn’t smudge around, even during a workout. Great news? It’s also now available at Target!
CLINIQUE Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
A daily SPF 50 is a must-have in my makeup routine and recently I switched from CLINIQUE’s City Block to the Broad Spectrum 50 SPF mineral sunscreen. The switch has definitely been for the better as this variation is less greasy and works beautifully under makeup. I wear this every single day and it’s light enough that I can even touch up throughout the day without ruining my makeup. Highly, highly recommend picking it up to protect your skin!
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash
Since I do pretty much all my grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s, I have started dipping into their bath and body products. And let me tell you, this body wash is fantastic! In addition to tea tree oil it also has peppermint and eucalyptus, making it ultra refreshing at the end of a long day. It also lathers and bubbles really well — terrific for bubble baths.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
Wooo! I’m always excited to discover a new skincare favorite and the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask definitely makes the cut! In addition to being one of my January 2021 favorites I also found myself LOVING this over the December holidays. It’s a fantastic rejuvenating mask that I can pop on my face at the end of the day to really purify and smooth my skin’s texture while also tightening up pores. Apply and wear for 5 to 15 minutes, feeling the mask tighten as it goes to work. Rinse off to reveal ultra smooth skin that lasts for days.
KIKO Green Me Tinted Moisturizer
Last October I was elated KIKO’s Green Me collection was made available in the states and I’ve been enjoying the Hydrating BB Cream ever since. In the dreary days of January, I particularly LOVED reaching for this product as it gives my skin such a nice soft glow while also not being a heavy foundation. I find myself wearing this religiously on the weekends now and I’m so impressed with how it nourishes the skin while also helping balance out my skintone. (Available in 6 shades and currently 50% off!)
OPI Nail Lacquer in Just Lanai-ing Around
For the most part I put the at-home pedicures on hold now that sandal season has come to an end, but for my fingernails I’m still trying to make somewhat of an effort! Skipping trips to the nail salon, I’ve been keeping things up at home and this OPI nail polish is my absolute favorite at the moment! It’s a beautiful mauve shade that’s perfect for the winter months and it has a rich and creamy formula that lasts for about a week without any chips.
LANCER Advanced Retinol Serum
I feel like I’ve been on the quest to find my DREAM anti-aging serum for over a year now. And while I’ve found ones I like, I was yet to find one I really loved and believed in…that is until I picked the Lancer Advanced Retinol Serum from Nordstrom. Word of caution, this is POTENT! It made my skin very sensitive so I cut back to using this every other night and I continue to see terrific results. Formulated with retinol, collagen and prickly pear – the serum adds such a boost to my complexion and keeps me looking alive during an otherwise dull time. It is a touch on the pricier side, but after trying cult favorites from Perricone MD, Ole Henrkisen, Clinique, etc…. it’s the first one I feel is really worth the money.
Caution: when wearing this you will definitely need to wear a high SPF daily, like my favorite from Clinique.
DIOR Princess Lip Gloss
It might seem strange to love a lip gloss during the era of face masks, but the Dior Addict Stellar Gloss is so impeccably moisturizing I’ve been turning to it basically as a lip balm. I’ll apply this before outdoor workouts to nourish my lips occasionally at nighttime. Honestly — I know the way I’ve been using this gloss is a bit unconventional but I am hooked on how soft and creamy it makes my lips feel!
NARS Soft Matte Foundation
I shared a more in-depth review of NARS’ newest foundation last year, so I’ll spare you the essay here. But, my love for the Soft Matte Foundation continues to grow and grow! It delivers full coverage while also being so lightweight you forget you’re even wearing foundation. Add to that longevity that will get you through a full, long day with zero touchups? Miracle product!
NIKE Pro Icon Leggings
In the very near future I’ll be sharing much more of my at-home workout essentials but I couldn’t resist including the Nike Pro Icon leggings as one my list of January 2021 favorites. Available in two shades and made from sustainable materials, these leggings have a thin fleece lining that works wonders to keep me warm during outdoor workouts. And, since I’ve been continuing to steer clear of my local gym during this wave of the pandemic — that is MUCH appreciated.
AVEDA Cooling Balancing Oil
As miserable as it is to have an increase in migraines during the winter months, I’m always into finding new ways to make them more bearable. Peppermint in an oil diffuser is always a big help but that’s not entirely practical while on-the-go. That’s where this handy alternative from Aveda comes into play! It’s a travel sized roller ball that I apply to my nose area to help break up a lot of the tension that comes with a migraine. The cooling oil is also one you could use to help with stress and anxiety in a pinch!
Juvia’s Place Cream Contour Stick
Last on the beauty front is the cream foundation from Juvia’s Place I use religiously as my daily bronzer stick. Available in 30 shades for every skintone, the shade stick is one you could use as a foundation or to help with your daily contouring. The formula is rich, creamy and blends like heaven.
ENTERTAINMENT
iPad Pillow
On an entertainment front, I have to mention this genius iPad pillow as one of my ultimate January 2021 favorites! While my iPad’s case does prop up, it’s not so perfect for use in bed. That’s where this pillow comes in with its two sides for your preferred angle – providing a much more sturdy stand for reading, browsing the internet or even watching something on Netflix. I LOVE that pillow also has side pockets to fit your phone or the Apple TV remote (which I’m always losing because it’s so gosh darn small).
My exact pillow seems to be sold out but a similar one is in stock at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
LOCKED DOWN (HBO MAX)
Goodness, this movie is a MOOD and a half! It’s also one of the first films to come from the COVID era, starring Anne Hathaway as a type A executive and Chiwetel Ejiofor as her spouse as well as several other famous faces popping in on Zoom calls.
Linda and Paxton are heading towards divorce right when lockdown hits and the inner workings of their marriage while navigating the pandemic, working from home and the stresses of living in such close proximity to each other while on the outs is both comical and RELATABLE. But when an opportunity presents itself, the two conspire to stage a heist to steal a rare diamond from Harrods.
If you have HBO Max, definitely check this one out as it’s rather therapeutic to watch this couple go the struggles of life through lockdown that we’ve all been experiencing over the last year. It’s a quirky, super funny movie that also has action and heart.
THE MORNING SHOW (APPLE TV+)
I am admittedly late to the game on season one of The Morning Show but by golly I finally caught up and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Jennifer Aniston is simply spectacular in her role as a famous talkshow host that’s navigating a chauvinistic work environment while trying to come out on top. Her performance alone makes the show worth watching, but the storyline of this morning talk show in the Me Too era and the corporate structure of the network is both highly relevant and gripping to watch. Filming for season two is currently underway and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next!
Family Feud Live App (iTunes or Google Play)
This one is a bit of a curveball as I’m normally not one to play video games of any kind. That said, the prolonged toll of pandemic life has prompted to me to turn to unexpected places for entertainment and the Family Feud app is one of them! I play completely for free with a certain allotted number of tickets per day. And the games are live and online, meaning you’re up against real people and not a computer. It’s been a silly and fun way to unwind at the end of the day and one I think you’ll enjoy!
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoy a wonderful February. x
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XOXO
Kelly
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