January Beauty Favorites

11 January Must-Have Beauty Favorites

1. Kat Burki Vitamin C Nourishing Cleansing Balm, $60

2. Kat Burki PH & Enzyme Essence, $100

3. Kat Burki Form Control Marine Collagen Gel, $150

4. Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Moisturizer, $99

5. Urban Decay Cosmetics Troublemaker Eyeshadow Palette, $25

6. Dome Beauty Eye Brush Set, $65

7. Pixi by Petra MatteLast Liquid Lip in 'Really Rose', $14

8. KORRES Greek Yoghurt Under Eye Priming Moisturiser, $36

9. Madam Glam New York Gelementary in 'Teacher's Pet', $12

10. Herbal Dynamics Beauty Rose Water Calming Face Toner, $20

11. Neon & Co. Body Oil, $32

Phew! To be quite honest, I've been so busy I didn't think this beauty post would go up today but I burned the midnight oil because I was too excited to share my January beauty favorites with you guys! There's a ton of skincare going on here today because let's 'face' it (ha ha ha sometimes I think I'm 'p'unny) the harsh winter months wreak havoc on to our skin. I've got all sorts of goodies to keep your skin hydrated and glowing, on top of a really cool eyeshadow palette that's a bit of a Troublemaker, an amazing new nail polish where I also found my perfect nude shade color, and a body oil that's the best I've ever had. Continue reading to learn more about these amazing beauty products! Happy (Almost) February! ----> [Insert: One crazy, hectic month for moi.]

1. KAT BURKI VITAMIN C NOURISHING CLEANSING BALM

Repairs, renews and illuminates skin using a reparative combination of 15% STAY C (Vitamin C), Camu Camu berry, Gotu Kola and seven reparative Cold Processed Oils: Coconut, Sunflower, Jojoba, Rose Hip Seed, Olive, Avocado and Cranberry Seed. Helps repair the signs of aging, increases skin plumpness, prevents dryness, brightens skin, retains moisture, cleanses skin and removes stubborn makeup/mascara. Some of you may have seen a mini-episode of me using this cleansing balm on Insta-Stories and it took makeup off when I thought I had a thoroughly clean face! This is after washing with a different cleanser. I'm thinking of sharing it on my Highlights on Instagram. What do you guys think? Yay or nay? 

2. KAT BURKI PH & ENZYME ESSENCE

Rarely addressed, our skin is best (and looks best) when its ph (potential hydrogen) level is mid-level to acidic – alkaline ratio, 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). The skin’s barrier (acid mantle) is responsible for keeping lipids and moisture locked in as well as protecting against pollutants, toxins, and bacteria. Optimizing the skin’s ph level is an important step towards overall skin health and protection from environmental damage and the aging process.
Kat Burki created a unique complex of ph balancing ingredients. Fruit enzymes help to resurface the acid mantle. Once a strong barrier function is achieved, secondary conditions, such as hyperpigmentation and weakened elasticity can be addressed. Healthy acid mantle maintains moisture and keeps skin soft and smooth. Antioxidant dense turmeric strengthens while vitamin C from orange hydrosols, pumpkin seed oil, and papaya support collagen to maintain skin structure and firmness. I use it as a toner after cleansing my face am & pm. I'm not a huge fan of the smell, but after having used it consistently, you get accustomed to it after a while. I find it to be one of the best balancers when it came to skin tone, overall hydration, and bounce. I wish they made one in travel-size!
 

3. KAT BURKI FORM CONTROL™ MARINE COLLAGEN GEL

Clinically proven to transform your skin, this marine collagen gel increases skin’s firmness and elasticity. Pure algae Keratin provides essential nutrients while Botanical Hyaluronic Acid fused with Silk Amino Acid Proteins visibly fills in fine lines and wrinkles and increases hydration. 14 known Collagen Boosters not only encourage skin to uptake the Marine Collagen for filling and plumping, but are also proven generators to increase skin’s own collagen production. Further boosted by KB5™ Complex and Reishi Mushroom, Plant Stem Cells provide anti-inflammatory benefits. This gel does wonders and even though is a bit pricey, is worth every penny. My skin hasn't looked this good in I don't even know how long! :)

4. LANCÔME RENERGIE LIFE MULTI-ACTION ULTRA FIRMING & DARK SPOT CORRECTING MOISTURIZER SPF 30

Meet your new moisturizer that breaks all of the rules: Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra. Powered by linseed extract, this moisturizer works to lift, firm, improve wrinkles, and visibly reduce dark spots. (Hi, sun damage & acne scars.) The quick-absorbing texture is oil-free and will not clog pores. SPF 30 provides additional protection against future environmental skin damage. The texture blends seamlessly into skin, leaving behind no white residue regardless of skin tone, revealing radiant, comfortable, hydrated skin all day long with or without makeup. The fragrance is lovely as well.

5. URBAN DECAY COSMETICS TROUBLEMAKER EYESHADOW PALETTE

Urban Decay is always stirring up trouble, and Troublemaker Eyeshadow Palette is no exception. Inside, you'll find 10 sultry shades perfect for scandalous nights. Whether you want to go bronzy, jewel-toned or smoky, it's all here. The perfect finishing touch? A travel-size Troublemaker Mascara, plus some scandalous thoughts, courtesy of designer (and fellow troublemaker) Jac Vanek.

Small enough to take anywhere, Troublemaker Eyeshadow Palette was made for sin. These shades are perfect for when you're up to no good - from a warm red matte to a metallic smoky gray with a shifty red-brown undertone. This palette even includes one split-pan shadow, Clash, that has a shimmery white on one half and UD's legendary blackest black matte (Blackout) on the other. Every shade has a velvety texture, rich color, serious staying power, and blendability. 

6. DOME BEAUTY EYE BRUSH SET

It all started with a brush. Without the right brush, application will falter and frustrate. Designed to respond to varying contours of the face, Dome Beauty brushes provide the control you need for a fluid, flawless application. The Eye Brush Set includes: Eye Blender, Eye Shadow and Eye Liner brushes and is protected by their exclusive BEAUTY BRUSH ARMOR. (Genius for anyone who has a pet with haiiiiiirrrrrrr as this cover isn't called an armor for anything.)

7. PIXI BY PETRA MATTELAST LIQUID LIPSTICK IN 'REALLY ROSE'

Extreme longwear, highly pigmented yet comfortable, this rosehip oil infused liquid lipstick quickly sets to a matte veil. In a few strokes your lips are enveloped in full on color that will last all day!PREP - Gently exfoliate lips with a lip scrub to smooth and condition.APPLY - Outline lips with the point of the applicator. Apply a thin layer to clean bare lips, allowing color to set. There's five really beautiful shades of pink that I received from Pixi Beauty, but my favorite lip color and I think the one that suits me best out of them all is the 'Really Rose' shade. But I really, really, love these lipsticks. A LOT.

8. KORRES GREEK YOGHURT UNDER EYE PRIMING MOISTURISER

This advanced nourishing eye cream is formulated with yogurt, a centuries-old Greek skin soothing solution, and myrtle and rhodiola rosea extracts to reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness. The cooling treatment perfectly primes the delicate eye area for flawless concealer application and is ideal for sensitive eyes prone to allergies. The ceramic cooling tip gently massages eyes with each application, giving eyes a refreshed and rested look. 

9. MADAM GLAM NAIL POLISH GELEMENTARY in 'TEACHER'S PET' 

This gel-like nail polish has the right amount of elegance and it is the perfect shade to lighten up your vibrant personality! Madam Glam has an assortment of colors ranging from bright to more subtle, such as nude shades. I always have a hard time finding the right shade with my skin tone but 'Teacher's Pet' is the perfect peach nude! I tried it once and have been using it since I have been getting a ton of compliments on the shade. I love that it lasts longer than normal nail polish and you don't need the typical LED/UV light to dry gel nails. I literally do two coats for full opacity and a top coat and I'm good for about ten days.

10. HERBAL DYNAMICS BEAUTY ROSE WATER CALMING FACE TONER

Soothe and calm skin with rose, green tea, chamomile, and witch hazel. Aloe and hyaluronic acid deliver instant hydration for a fresh, youthful appearance. Rose oil helps improve the effectiveness of beauty and skincare treatments by increasing permeability, making this toner perfect for use prior to serums and moisturizers in your routine. The smell is intoxicating and I love how relaxing the spray feels to my face, especially on drier winter days. 

11. NEON & CO. BODY OIL

Oil is the answer. A vegan-friendly, super rich, hydrating, and illuminating body oil. The kind you’ll want to bathe in - but who has time for that. Super absorbing, rub it all over. That means everywhere. It should only ever irritate you when it runs out. Let the gentle ingredients like Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil work their magic on your skin. All I have to say about this body oil is that it's my all-time favorite. That is all. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Our Thanksgiving Spread

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day was filled with warmth, love & full bellies! I am thankful for every day. Every sunrise or sunset I get to see makes me filled with gratitude. However I'm thankful most for my husband, Gilles and our fur baby, MaQ. They are my family and without them I'm not sure where I would be today. Their love makes each day worth getting up for. I love these two more than anything else in the world. Thank you both for always having my back.

Today's post is all about my cook-a-thon from yesterday's feast! I've been cooking our turkey's for the past 7 years and I must admit, this year's turkey was the best yet! I got a decent-sized bird to last us for days, just shy of 14 pounds! I panicked the first time I handled a turkey. The idea of cooking the darn thing was intimidating enough, let alone preparing all the side dishes and appetizers, cocktails, etc. Secondly, I was honestly grossed out. But now, with persistent practice in the kitchen, I prep faster and with more confidence, therefore with much more ease. It's a breeze now and I relish the idea of cooking a 20+lber one day, ha ha! This year was also the first time where I never felt overwhelmed! My cooking skills are improving, and I'm so happy to share with you my progress thus far! Here are a few tricks of the trade I've learned from the many Thanksgiving dinners I've made in the past years:

ALWAYS PREP IN ADVANCE! I can't tell you how many times I was that dingdong who'd rush to the market on the day of Thanksgiving. BAD Suz! BAD. Life is continuously hectic in New York, and I never could seem to manage to prepare anything beforehand and made everything on the actual day! This year in particular, I bought everything I needed the day before. Lol. I also made the pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Eve, which definitely helped take off a little pressure from all the cooking on the day of.

BUTTER, BUTTER & MORE BUTTER. What's the secret to French cooking? That's right, folks, the more the better. If you want your turkey to have a super moist, rich taste, the key is where you put the butter. I like to season mine first with a variety of herbs & seasonings, then take the mixture and place it under the skin. The trick is to not to rip the entire skin off though. I will poke a hole through each end on both sides, and will especially be generous with the butter when it comes to the breast. I put most of the butter in this section because this part of the turkey has a tendency to be the most dry.

COVER TURKEY WITH FOIL. Remove the foil when there is only 1 hour left to finish cooking the bird. This is the time to baste the turkey from the cooked juices, I usually try to do this every 10-15 minutes (for an hour), giving it a nice brown on the skin. Doesn't it look delicious?!

USE UNFLAVORED DENTAL FLOSS TO TIE THE LEGS. It's easy to remove and even easier to tie if you have an extra pair of hands. (Thanks, hubby bear for the awesome teamwork!) I'm not sure what everyone else uses, but I've been using this method for years and it's never failed to secure them tightly!

A VARIETY OF SIDES GOES A LONG WAY. Some of my favorite trimmings are mashed potatoes and stuffing (or dressing as the South calls it). I could literally survive on the stuff! But you never know who's going to show up, so it's a good thing to mix it up and try different and new recipes. I also made my version of candied yams & apples, which is on the sweeter side comparatively to the other dishes. Salad is also a great starter. I mixed mine with mushrooms, red & yellow peppers, onion, cucumbers, tomatos and shredded carrots. I also will normally have some kind of bread at the table but I totally forget about it in the photo! Last are the cranberry sauce and green beans which are always winners.

HOW TO GET THE FLUFFIEST MASHED POTATOES. A whisk! Just whip those taters up like you're whisking eggs and it'll be the airiest potatoes of your life! Secret's also in the right amount of butter and milk. Don't forget the salt too!

APPEARENCE DOES COUNT. Any kind of decorative effort brings liveliness to a place/setting. Whether it's flowers, funky-looking squash and pumpkins, or a fabulous table runner, I try to keep the spread looking simple yet appealing. Plus, you'll still have all your decorations after which will still keep your place looking fun and festive, unless you like to jump into Christmas right away.  :)

What are some of your favorite tricks for Thanksgiving dinners? Favorite sides? What about your least favorite dish you still come across? Like fruitcake during Christmas? Ha ha! Have a safe rest of your Black Friday and enjoy the Holiday weekend! <3

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz