I swear, I just get so excited when it comes time for a new essence Trend Edition. I know, I'm a dork. Still, I love the cute little displays and how everything has been curated together for some kind of theme. Obviously, I also love the fact that I can pick up a handful of things from each collection without having to feel guilty about the burden on my wallet - If only all limited edition collections in the beauty world were so affordable! Anyway, I saw the display at my local Shoppers pretty much as soon as they put it out (it was pristine and untouched - ahhhhhh!) and I had no choice but to pick up a few things to try out, so I figured I'd share a look at the collection as well as first impression mini reviews of each of the products.

Keep reading to take a look at what I picked up and see my initial thoughts on the products!

One of the best things that happened in 2014 for me was starting this blog. Honestly, I had been wanting to do this for a long time and it was such an exciting thing to start it up and start to grow it as far as content and readership. I think I've finally really found my style and my niche and over the holidays when there was just no time for blogging, I really found that I missed sitting down every day and banging out a post. I decided to start the new year with Top 5 lists. Initially, I was going to do my favorite products in every category of makeup and personal care that I could think of, but I found myself choosing products that were my favorites more by default than by sheer awesomeness, so I changed my plan and decided to do Top 5 posts in a series of categories so that I could really highlight products that I have absolutely been loving this year. I decided that the first post would have to be face makeup products since they're the foundation of my daily beauty routine.

So without further adieu, keep reading to check out my favorite face products of 2014...

I was thinking about it, the content that I put on here, and realized that I'm always so excited to write about the things that are brand spankin' or that I've just discovered but I rarely dip into my stupidly sizable makeup collection to talk about those long loved workhorse products that I love so much. So I decided to change that. Every Friday, I'm going to try and write about a product that isn't new or fancy or maybe even the least bit exciting, but that I always go back to no matter how many shiny, possible replacements the makeup industry offers me. So without further adieu, I give you my first Friday Forever Favorite....

When I was making a list of the products that I could possibly use for these posts, the Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder was the clear winner for me. I have multiples of this product - one on my vanity, one in my desk at the office, and one that travels around with me in my purse. I've hit pan on several times on these and I always repurchase. I do try other powders, because the makeup junkie in me always has those nagging thoughts that there might be something better out there, and a few have gotten close and sometimes even tricked me into thinking they might be better, but then I use this one again and it's just everything I want it to be.

I will say that I have one complaint about this product and I feel like this is most people's complaint: The Packaging. While this works fine if you're going to be leaving your powder on the vanity, who always leaves their pressed powder on the vanity? The lid comes off. Easily. Way too easily. It's pretty clear that this wasn't designed to be a convenient compact for tossing in your purse, but that's exactly what I want it to be because this is my favorite product for those late in the day touchups when I'm feeling a little bit shiny and gross. I'm still crossing my fingers that they're going to repackage these someday soon and I'm going to get a sleek this company to toss in my bag... but I'll still keep buying it either way.

Now that we have the downside out of the way, let's talk about the upsides. For me, my biggest skin issue is uneven texture. I have enlarged pores and some small bumps and scars on my face that are probably my biggest insecurity, and I find that most foundations or bases will inevitably end up settling at least a little bit into those places of uneven texture and really highlighting them. A little dust of this over the skin is like an airbrush for me. Everything gets blurred and my skin looks perfected and smooth again. I've never found this powder too heavy or cakey, it's always just enough to give my skin a little oomph and make me feel just that bit more confident. Also, when I'm trying out less than stellar face makeup, this is a savior towards the end of the day when I start to look like a hot mess. 

With a price tag that usually falls right around $5, this is not only a really solid product but it's just insanely affordable - which makes all of the ones I have hanging out in every conceivable place that I could need one completely acceptable. Right????? In case it wasn't clear, I highly recommend this product.

For reference, I am NW20 and I wear 003 Natural.

Check back next week for another installment of Friday Forever Favorites and have a great weekend!

XO.

I've been very interested in trying more Sonia Kashuk lately. One of my favorite fall/winter palettes, the Jewel Of An Eye palette, is from her and the quality is completely on point, so I figured recently that it was time to get my hands on a few more things and see how they pan out. I don't remember where I heard or read about this powder, but I do remember someone making the claim that the finish could be considered a dupe for an Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. Now, if you've ever read anything resembling a wishlist from me, you'll know that I am desperately wanting to own those powders (and, to be honest, will be purchasing the palette of them literally tomorrow), but something dupable at a fraction of the cost definitely sounded like it was worth a try. It ended up in my cart at Target moments after I noticed it on the shelf.