Lavenderwalls & Me...: Lavenderwalls & Me: Best of 2014

I hope everyone has had a great 2015 so far and settled into the year nicely! Many of you, like me, returned to work this week, and if it was rough to go back after the holidays, I hear you! I hear you loud and clear. After taking a week and a half off, I was not ready to get back into the grind. But, there's always a bright side...We made it through this week and the weekend has come again for us to refresh and recharge.

This weekend has been a great start for me, as I am excited and anxious to bring you what I found were standouts this past year.

There is so much fantastic things (beauty and non-beauty related) out in the market and I have had a fabulous 2014 discovering and trying new things and rejoicing in my tried and true staples.

As I sat down and planned my VERY FIRST "Best of" list, I opted not to find the best of everything. However, not to say I don't have a favorite for just about everything. Rather, I decided to spotlight favorites that really resonated to me this past year and made a huge and positive impact and were game changers to my routine.

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***BEST BODY SCRUB***

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub

Smells great, drugstore price ($7!), and works beautifully to leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed! My skin has never been so happy to be exfoliated.

***BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER***

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product (Original)

There is no need to explain how simple yet complicated my hair is, but this stuff really makes keeping my hair as low maintenance as possible very easy...and I can't live without this stuff. It's A 10 comes in several versions depending on hair type and condition, but the original is definitely the best. It makes my hair soft, manageable and strong, plus this stuff smells SO GOOD! I am currently using the one with Keratin, but it's definitely not performing the same. I can't wait to run out to get more of the one pictured above.

Is this a surprise??? Holy grail...Love, love, love this dry shampoo! I truly can't find anything that works better than Klorane. If you haven't seen my extensive post on tips for using dry shampoo and also my dry shampoo reviews, where I tell you why I love Klorane so much, please go! Go now! Click here.

***BEST SKIN CARE TOOL***

Surprisingly, I haven't talked about this at all on my blog, but my Clarisonic is my secret to EVERYTHING beauty. My secret to great skin, a solid skin care routine, great make-up, healthy living.

The perk of being in department store retail is that you get introduced to a lot of skin care and beauty products and tools, and this one was heavily marketed to me by reps, associates, and co-workers. It took me a while to buy into the idea of spending $100 for a rechargeable face brush, but when I finally decided to give it a shot, I vowed that I would never go another day with using my Clarisonic. That was 6 years ago and I have used it everyday since.

I am not exaggerating when I say that commiting myself to 1-minute each night with my Clarisonic has changed my skin!

There is no way my explanations can ever do this product justice, so if you haven't learned about what the Clarisonic can do for your skin, visit their website: http://www.clarisonic.com

The Clarisonic is good for 20-25 cycle per full charge. To recharge, simply hook the magnetic charger to the base of the tool. You will see the green indicator light on the back flash as the Clarisonic charges.

Each cycle lasts 1 minute long: 20-seconds for the forehead, 20-seconds for your nose and chin, and 10-seconds for each cheek. I use it each night, but the Clarisonic is safe to use daily, morning and night.

What's great about Clarisonic is that you can find a tool and brush heads that cater to your skin and the concerns you may have. I have tried the brushes for sensitive and normal skin, but my favorite is the deep cleansing brush head (featured).

I featured the color Hercules in my May/June Favorites post and I raved about how amazing these polishes are. Gel-like, fast-drying, long-lasting, and worth the $12.50 price tag. Simply amazing that I am wondering why I don't own more... I guess that can be a goal for 2015 =)

You can call me crazy for naming this the best mascara for 2014, especially since I just mentioned it in my last post, but it's for real. Again, I am not in love with the price. However, OMG. The way it makes my lashes look...INCREDIBLE!

This product doesn't get much attention, but it should. It is lightweight, finely milled pressed powder that does a fantastic job setting your foundation and concealer without adding more color and pigment. A lot of times, we try to set our makeup with foundation powder and all we do is add a layer of coverage that may not be necessary. If you have found a foundation or concealer that gives you the right amount of coverage, this powder is great at helping you set your cream products without adding more color.

In addition, the packaging is light, slim, and the brush is included. Therefore, this compact is great to just throw in the purse to touch up and mattify during the day while on the go.

***BEST BEAUTY BRAND OF 2014***

I can't begin to describe how much It Cosmetics has wowed me this year!!! A lot of thanks goes to Ulta, who made this company and brand more accessible and known to the general public -- and not just to those that watch QVC. Everything from their CC cream, to their eyeshadow and their brushes have been incredible. What I really enjoy about this brand is that it is geared towards the everyday woman. It's not about being trendy, vampy, and hot in all your make-up glory, but really about the practicality of cosmetics: To make you feel beautiful in your own skin, in a natural way.

A couple things, in particular, about It Cosmetics really won me over in 2014. First, the brushes that the company exclusively released through Ulta. The variety is huge, the price points are amazing offering multiple lines of brushes that range from practical everyday brushes averaging $15 to the luxe line that average about $30-$40. Whichever brushes you choose, you can't go wrong with any of them. They are soft, great quality, and easy to work with. My favorites are the Airbrush All Over Shadow and the Airbrush Blending Crease.

In addition, the two Naturally Pretty palettes released this year blew me away! All matte, all gorgeous, all super blendable. We hear a lot about the Naked palette and how beautiful they are (Trust me. I own them all.), but not everyone can pull those shades and textures off. These two Naturally Pretty palette can go on anyone's eyes and look absolutely beautiful.

***BEST LIP BRAND***

Other than lip balm or SOME chubby lip crayons, lip products have always been tricky with me, as much as I fight hard to make them all work. Then, earlier this year, I built up the courage to try Bite Beauty and I haven't looked back since! The big issue I have with lipstick is that it can be drying but still manage to move around the lips and past the lips no matter how I set the product. Bite Beauty lip products are the complete opposite. Their very moisturizing, but they have amazing longevity. The color range is practical, so there is a shade for everyone. And, if you read my April Favorites post, you will know that I absolutely love the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask! My other ultimate favorites are the lipsticks in Musk and Pepper and the lip crayon in Glace.

Another product that I must have everyday for the rest of my life. This was definitely a game changer for me in 2014, especially during the warmer months. For the longest time, I struggled to find a day moisturizer that is oil-free, lightweight, and controls oil, but also contain sunscreen. Although it sounds like an easy task, every single moisturizer managed to not do what I wanted it to do. Thanks to a lovely Sephora associate, I was introduced to this sunscreen for the face that I can pair with any moisturizer that works for my skin without worrying about it also having sunscreen in it. Just a little mix of the Shiseido product with the moisturizer of my choice and I have the dream cream for my face!

***BEST DEEP CONDITIONER***

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Another one of my holy grail items and it is of no surprise. I raved about this mask that I use as my conditioner in my Deep Conditioner post, and I credit it for helping to keep my hair strong, healthy, and manageable. If you want to find out more about this product, just click here!

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment

Another necessity in my hair care arsenal! My hair drinks this treatment up like water! It loves this product, and so do I. Since my hair is long and color treated, the ends of my strands are rougher and more damaged. Simply massaging in a dime size to my wet hair after I shower allows for the strands to dry smoother, feel softer, and be stronger and healthier. In addition, I apply a pea size amount from mid-shaft to ends as a style finisher before I head out the door and as an overnight treatment before bed.

***BEST CLEANSING BALM***

I briefly featured cleansing oils and balms in my favorites back in May, but the one that really stood out to me in 2014 was this one by Lush. In the past year, these types of cleanser have been one of the new things that I have tried and I absolutely love this method of removing makeup. In a matter of a minute, you are removing make-up, giving your face a message, and really loosening the pores to release any impurities that may be clogging them. With Ultrabland, it also leaves your skin super soft and super moisturized!

Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil and Lemon

Packed full of moisture, smells light and fresh, and is the bomb! Do I need to say anything else about how amazing this balm is?

***BEST UNDER-EYE CORRECTOR***

Benefit Erase Paste

I have been using this product way before 2014, but, to this day, it is still the best under eye corrector there is. With a salmon tone, just the tiniest bit of this correcting concealer combats the darkness under your eyes using a contrasting tone to cancel out the circles and shading that dull our complexion. Use alone or under your regular concealer, you will start to notice a huge (more awake) complexion.

Bravo to Too Faced for finally introducing to the world a line of liquid lipstick that doesn't feel like you are apply liquid vinyl on your lips! These are fool proof, easy to apply, matte, comfortable, and beautiful on the lips. And when you are ready to remove it, easy with a little makeup remover. If you have tried any other liquid lipsticks, you already know that a lot of them look like lipglosses that you have to perfectly paint, dries uncomfortably, and takes paint thinners to remove. No thanks! I'll take the easy route.

***BEST EYE PRIMER for Shadow Fall-Out***

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue

The tube says "Glitter Glue", but I can assure you that it's not just for that. Now, I know we all love our Naked palettes and all the pretty glitter and pigments. We also have to agree those things have a lot of fall-out. Speaking from personal experience, the Naked 1 palette is a huge offender and for that I swore off of it for a long time. When I heard that this Too Faced primer was the answer to my problem, I willfully obliged. I am thankful that I did. The thicker and tackier consistency of this "glitter glue" helps keep my shadows in place and not all over my face.

***BEST HAIR ELASTICS for THICK HAIR***

XL Elastics by Vidal Sassoon

I would like to find the person that came up with this genius idea and hug him or her. As mentioned in my March favorites, I can tie my hair back and not worry about the elastic stretching, snapping, or not being big enough to hold and support the weight of my hair. I don't think I would be able to continue living if these ties every ceased to be produced.

***BEST INVESTMENT in 2014***

If you have followed me on my blog or my Instagram (@lavenderwalls) since October, you will know that my husband and I embarked on a huge investment and upgraded our floors from tile and carpet in the common areas of our home to porcelain wood-like tile planks...and it was one of the smartest and best things we have ever done. With this new addition, our home has really shifted in dynamic and added a touch of "grown up" to our little space. I am proud to say that both my husband and I have worked hard and treated ourselves to something that makes us feel more cozy in our casa.

***BEST ARTIST of LIFE!***

I know that everything coveted by anyone is primarily subjective, but this standout is super subjective - nonetheless, still a 2014 favorite. Well, I would say an eternal favorite...and she is Sara Bareilles, my all-time favorite singer/songwriter. My emotional connection to her music started in 2007 and has carried on to this day. Her songs and messages have always stood by me at the right moment and I feel like the answers to the thoughts in my head and the events in my life are answered by her lyrics. I've been to numerous Sara Bareilles concerts, skipped work to meet her, and I proudly donn this t-shirt that says "I *heart* Sara F*CKING Bareilles" in public despite my husband's advisement not to. She is a true artist, an amazing creator, and a fantastic entertainer. Sara Bareilles, you are my spirit animal!

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And lastly, I saved the last BEST of 2014 for the end.

It is my BEST MOMENT OF 2014... March 9th, 2014!

On March 9th, 2014, the word "FINALLY" meant something new and important to me. It was the day that I took a deep breath, conjured up my courage and FINALLY channeled my inspirations and discoveries into something I was dreaming and wanting for an entire year.

It was the day I decided that I would create Lavenderwalls & Me, my very own blog.

In the past 10 months, I have taken my passion for makeup, beauty, and lifestyle and joined a community. A community committed to share and a community committed to support each other as we find the path together to being the best of who we can possibly be.

In this process of establishing myself as a blogger, it has been challenging. I came across a lot of roadblocks, shed many tears of frustration, joy, and more frustration, and overcome many hurdles of doubt and question from myself and others.

However, in this process, I have also learned a lot of who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to become to my readers and audience. All of this is more than just "stuff" and materialistic items. All of this is about helping each other find meaning to the lives we live. All of this is about inspiring our community to do better for ourselves and our neighbors by loving who we are.

I know the road ahead to full-on expert blogger is long and full of sharp turns and bumps, but, as I plant my feet into 2015, I only know I can move forward and do more, be better, and inspire even more people.

I thank each and everyone of you that take the time to embark on my blogging journey with me. I want you to know that your support means the world and that it never goes unappreciated.

With confidence, this year will be just as good if not better than 2014.

As we take time this weekend to relax and relish in the company of our loved ones, I challenge you to find inspiration and courage to follow your heart and go after your "Finally".