2015 Holiday Gift Guide

I am a firm believer that the gift of beauty is always appreciated, no matter the level of the giftee's beauty affinity. There are dozens of products and gifts out there for everyone from the minimalist to the simply obsessed, and nothing makes any woman (or man) feel better than when they invest a little time in themselves and indulge. These are some of my favorite gifts for the 2015 holiday season.

1. Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer, $18
For the lady who pays attention to every detail. This 5-free formula, created by the woman who launched Hard Candy, has picked up quite a following for its color options, flawless coverage and unbeatable shine.

2. Lisa Eldridge's Face Paint Book, $19
For the girl that loves the makeup...all the makeup. Its entire history in these beautiful pages put together by legendary makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. Covers history's most iconic looks and products, is perfect to curl up with on a rainy day or as part of a coffee table vignette.

3. Tom Ford Lips & Boys, $35
For the woman who appreciates the finer things in life. Nobody makes lipstick like Tom Ford, and he just added new boys to his Lips & Boys collection, so finding a match for anyone should be easy.

4. Rocksbox Gift Subscription, $49 - $149
For the girl who finishes off any beauty look with the perfect pair of earrings. Give her a three-month, six-month of year-long membership to this jewelry subscription service. And you can get a month free with my code: socialstylatexoxo.

5. BKR Water Bottle, $28 - $45
For the lady with the "from-within" beauty approach. Yes, it's a $42 water bottle, but that's what makes it perfect for gifting. It's sold as a beauty product that encourages you to stay properly hydrated. All that in a beautiful BPA and phthalate-free glass water bottle that is more an accessory than a practicality.

6. Anthropologie Geo Soap Rocks, $12
For any girl on your list, because who doesn't love fancy soap? And these illuminate under water. With formulas like milk and honey, green apple and tea rose, actually using them is wonderful, but they are just as great displayed in a glass canister for admiring.

7. MIA Fit, $189
For the always on-the-go gal (or guy). The new addition to the Clarisonic family is more compact than the Mia and Mia 2, perfect for travel, and has 60 and 80-second cleansing settings with a velvety soft brush head. This one is way at the top of my wish list.

8. Sugar Paper 2016 Planner, $7.99
For the lady with dozens of beauty (and other) appointments. This Sugar Paper pocket planner is perfect for filling up with with mani/pedis, facials, haircuts and other beauty appointments and fits right in your purse or pocket. Who needs iPhone reminders with a planner this pretty?

9. Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm, $22
For the "green" beauty. This new balm from Swedish-American Henné Organics is, as the name suggests, super luxurious, moisturizes for hours, and is just good for you.

10. Nugg Beauty Face Masks, $3.29
For the girl that loves to travel. I've talked about these quite a bit. They're great as stocking stuffers, and you can mix and match for customized skincare.

11. Laggo LA SOHO Clutch, $210
For the effortless lady who knows less is more. A year-round clutch that's just the right size for beauty essentials, really high quality and some unexpected but super versatile color combos.

12. Birchbox Gift Subscription, $30 - $110
For the lady just beginning to dabble in beauty. Choose an exclusive starter box and a subscription to give her three months, six months or an entire year of custom, curated beauty discoveries.

Instagram Beauty Favorites

My love for beauty came long before social media allowed us access to bloggers, vloggers and other beauty insiders. My first inspiration was my mom, with her endless collection of red lipstick, and her refusal to leave the house without a full face of makeup. But, today, it's easy for beauty aficionados like myself to find inspiration in other women (and men) whose approaches to beauty may resonate with us. I gravitate towards Instagram for inspiration, because it's simple and usually authentic, and narrowed down a list of my favorite folks to follow for nuggets of beauty wisdom, life wisdom, or simply because they truly own who they are, and there's nothing more beautiful than that.

Sophia Amoruso
@SophiaAmoruso 
What I most love about her Instagram presence, beyond the fact that she is striking and you just want to live vicariously though the snapshots of her incredible (and hard-earned) life, is that she is so comfortable making a complete fool of herself in front of her audience. She hides nothing about who she is (if you read her book, you know she put it all out there in those pages) and every single one of her posts makes me want to work towards having that kind of confidence. Of course, seeing her flawless complexion and eyebrows serve as reminders for my own personal maintenance.

Matin Maulawizada
@ItsMatin 

I had the privilege of meeting Matin while working for Pamella Roland, and he's one of those gentle souls -- and extremely humble despite the amount of success he's had as a makeup artist. Matin's account is a favorite because his approach to beauty is real and never intimidating, and he has a knack for highlighting his clients' (Claire Danes, Lena Dunham and Lupita N'yongo to name a few) beauty without gimmicks or masks, so to speak. I especially love when he shares personal stories about his family, adorable Italian Greyhounds, and his work with Afghan Hands, a nonprofit he founded which helps disadvantaged women in Afghanistan gain independence through the craft of embroidery.

Ximena Navarrete
@XimenaNR
I can appreciate sheer beauty in another woman, especially a fellow Mexican. This former Nuestra Belleza Mexico winner and Miss Universe's account is pure eye candy. Her features, reminiscent of Maria Felix, make for a beautiful post every single time. And all the makeup shots highlighting her usual makeup artist Victor Guadarrama give me loads of inspiration for beauty looks.

Into the Gloss
@IntoTheGloss
Into the Gloss is my go-to source for behind the scenes coverage of fashion week and trends in beauty that are real, approachable and actually attainable. The #ITGTopShelfie content franchise is great for discovering new products, and for causing some serious top shelf envy. And, this Instagram account has to be the must visually appealing and gorgeously curated beauty accounts out there.

Sarah Brown
@SBRogue 
I learned about Sarah Brown a decade ago (or longer), reading an essay she wrote in Vogue where she shared that her beauty resembled that of the Renaissance. Now I follow her on Instagram, and appreciate her account for the lack of pretense you might expect from a Vogue beauty editor, and all of the approachability and accessibility that you might not. I love the glimpses into her life, her travel and experiences, but am obviously there for the beauty products, the treatments, and even fashion from likely the most well-versed person in the industry.

Rosacea Awareness Month

Before the month gets away from me, I wanted to talk about Rosacea. April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and if you’ve been following along (thank you!), you know that I have a minor case. My brother and I both suffer from it and I consider myself lucky because I have been able to manage it on my own, thus far. My brother has gone through treatments and struggled with it a bit more than I have. It’s a condition that can really take a toll on ones’ self-esteem. I’m constantly asked why my face is so red, but luckily I’m past the embarrassment - I think as you get older you’re just generally less embarrassed about things. If you think you have Rosacea, I definitely advise you consult with your doctor before beginning any treatments or products. I myself have actually never consulted a dermatologist because it’s never gotten to be too serious, but have several near-confirmations from estheticians and my general care physician. Either way, I wanted to share what has worked for me most recently for managing and improving my Rosacea Flare-Ups.

1. I try to avoid salicylic acid in general, and only use it when I’m feeling an oncoming breakout. SA can be extremely drying, harsh and can irritate Rosacea, so I only own it for when I urgently need it and try to stick to gentle products. Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is a great option for cleansing without irritation, I also love First Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser, which I talk about quite a bit. Most recently, I’ve used Manuka Honey to cleanse my face several times a week. Manuka Honey is a great antibacterial and I have seen a different in my skin’s tone, and less redness since including in my regimen. Check Amazon or Whole Foods for a number of options and always go with 15+ Active, or higher. I'm currently using this one, from Y.S. Eco Bee Farms.
2. First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Redness Serum is packed with caffeine, which helps shrink blood vessels and improves redness. This was my first FAB product, and the reason I even looked into the line. I use this before special occasions, or as part of my evening skincare regimen. It helps clear my face right up and with a gentle morning skincare routine, I don't have to worry about irritating my skin all over again.
3. My skincare approach is definitely not an all-natural one, but I do love essential oils. Pure Tamanu Oil is known for its ability to promote skin renewal, and Tea Tree Oil’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help calm redness. I use these two frequently to calm redness.
4. Heat is a key contributor to Rosacea flare-ups, and I live in Texas, so I’m basically out of luck. But when I do go for an outdoor jog, I try to wear caps. I also try to apply heat less often to my hair by blowdrying only a couple times a week and always pointing the hair dryer away from my face. It also helps that Andres and I keep our apartment at a comfortable 68 degrees. We’re polar bears, but anything higher and I feel like I'm essentially being cooked.
5. Rosacea and many other skin conditions are worsened by inflammation, so anti-inflammatory foods are important. I don’t have the best diet, but I do drink Ginger Tea religiously. Other good anti-inflammatory foods include berries, cucumbers, and foods with a high percentage of water.
6. Lastly, and perhaps the most difficult to avoid are alcoholic beverages, especially red wine. Those and spicy foods, can also induce flare-ups. Avoiding spicy foods is particularly difficult for me, because I add spice to food the way I add salt, but I try to make up for this in other areas of my skincare.

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Morning Skincare Regimen

I'm not a morning person by any means. I sleep in and am always rushing out the door. But no matter what, I always have a full face of makeup and have diligently completed my morning skincare routine. Loving makeup as much as I do, it's important that I take extra care of my skin. Here's how it all happens, step by step:

Cleansing 
I do a thorough cleanse nightly with my Clarisonic, and follow with several products - more to come on my evening routine - so first thing after jumping in the shower, I cleanse my face to remove any products from the night before and prepare it for my morning regimen. Gentle cleansers are my go-to for mornings, because my face is generally clean and because harsh cleansers can irritate my sensitive skin, which I like to avoid before a full day.

• Currently, my favorite gentle cleanser is First Aid Beauty's Face Cleanser. This one's great for  cleansing without stripping of necessary oils and creating that tight feeling nobody likes. 
• Another I've seen great results with, that causes absolutely no irritation with chamomile and aloe vera, is Kiehl's Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser. This one's more steeply priced, but worth the investment

If I've gone to bed wearing a heavy mask, I do my morning routine with a cleanser with salicylic acid to avoid potential breakouts.

• Favorites include Neutrogena's Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub and First Aid Beauty's Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay (also great for sensitive skin).

Serum
Before applying moisturizer, I apply a serum. Serums are great for targeting specific skincare issues, and supplementing your regular skincare regimen. I apply my serum and massage into my skin so it's properly absorbed and can work to its fullest potential.

• My holy-grail serum is Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster, which helps control my minor rosacea, soothing redness with Vitamin C, is an anti-aging powerhouse and brightens my overall complexion. 
• Other favorites include Ole Henriken's African Red Tea Serum, First Aid Beauty's Facial Radiance Serum and First Aid Beaty's Anti-Redness Serum. 

Moisturize
After serum, I apply a day-time moisturizer. I love a day moisturizer that is light and fluid, and gives a good base for blending all my other products and makeup. I apply this all over my face and work down to my neck. The skin on your neck can be, but should not be, neglected. It's also one of the areas where aging most shows. Favorite day-time moisturizers include:

• Mario Badescu's Buttermilk Moisturizer, which like the name says actually feels like buttermilk. This moisturizer has lactic acid and Allantoin which help calm irritated skin. 
• My go-to is CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion (in the bottle with the pump). This lotion is full of ceramides, which exist naturally in the skin's outer layer and help skin retain moisture. If you suffer from dry skin, in addition to drinking more water, you should consider adding products with ceramides into your skincare regimen. This CeraVe lotion also has hyaluronic acid, also present in the skin and provides plumpness and moisture, but depletes as we age. 

Sunscreen
Immediately following moisturizer, while my face is still drenched in it, I apply sunscreen for easy blending. I use the CeraVe SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion, which can leave a white cast, so I like to apply soon after moisturizing to avoid that. Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of any skincare regimen and an anti-aging secret weapon. If it's cold, if it's cloudy, if you plan to be indoors, all day, always defer to sunscreen. Sun damage is irreparable.

I ask friends if they wear sunscreen daily, and I always get the same response. "My makeup and/or moisturizer has some." But I rarely see a foundation or moisturizer that has above 30 SPF, which is the recommended amount. I did once experiment with a 2-in-1 product with an above 30 SPF, when I invested in Bobbi Brown's considerably-priced SPF 35 BB Cream and it caused an awful and almost instant breakout. If your foundation or moisturizer has above SPF 30 and works for you, keep doing what you're doing. But if not, I recommend a lightweight formula with the recommended amount.

Eye Cream: 
The skin under your eye doesn't produce as much oil as the rest of your face. That's why it's prone to wrinkles and requires extra care. A good eye cream isn't an option, especially after reaching your mid 20s. My current eye cream of choice is Mario Badescu's Hyaluronic Eye Cream - I do love that hyaluronic acid. The cream is great for day or night (I use both times of the day), and is also great for sensitive skin.

Primer:
Following my moisturizers and skin prep, I begin with makeup prep and begin with a foundation primer to even out my skin's texture and minimize my pores. My holy-grail primer is Benefit's POREFessional. It makes the surface of my skin silky and creates a good foundation for my makeup, which stays in place much longer with this primer.

Base:
Technically, this is already part of my makeup routine, but because we're discussing skincare, I want to include my base as part of my morning regimen. Because I do suffer from redness and minor rosacea, and because I make a diligent effort to care for my skin, I wear Lorac's CC Cream for daily use and save the heavy foundation for weekends and special occasions. The CC in CC Cream, stands for color or complexion correction, so this in particular is great for evening out my skin tone, with little coverage and without heaviness.

Once my base is set, I finish with my makeup for the day. After my full day, I remove my makeup and take care of my face through my nightly regimen, which I'll cover in my next post.

February Beauty Favorites

The end of March caught up to me, and I'm just now sharing my beauty favorites for February. I'm in Texas, where winter is short and spring comes early, so February was about taking full advantage of my favorite winter makeup looks while I still had time. It was also about keeping my skin as hydrated as possible during those sporadic, but brutal, cold fronts. My favorite items this month included:

MAC Toledo Matte Lipstick in Sin
This February, I started writing as a Vanity Report contributor for LillianaVazquez.com, and my first post was a review on MAC's collection with Isabel and Ruben Toledo. The collection featured a range of lipsticks in shades from nude to the darkest shade, Sin. I love a dark lip and as soon as I got my hands on the deep maroon shade, I knew I had to wear it as often as I could while it was still cold and appropriate. This meant I was getting in some daytime wear, which is okay because I do love the drama. Still, I love pairing this with a soft, rose gold metallic eye, or even just a bronzer as an eyeshadow.

BlenderCleanser Solid
I typically clean my brushes and Beauty Blenders with gentle dish soap. Beauty is an expensive hobby, so I like saving where I can. Walking by the Beauty Blender Cleansers at Sephora, I rolled my eyes and thought it ridiculous to spend such an exorbitant amount on a brush cleanser when I could use a few drops of dish soap at home. But then Birchbox went and sent me a travel-sized BlenderCleanser Solid (with a full-sized Blender!) and shook up my whole world. It not only cut my cleaning time in half and left my brushes cleaner than dish soap alone, it actually restored my first Beauty Blender to its original state. I picked up another travel-sized Cleanser at Sephora with my rewards points, and as soon as I've gone through both, I will eat my words and buy a full-sized version at a mere $17.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
This is a new one from Fresh, and Fresh never disappoints. This overnight mask is meant to be an anti-aging treatment, what with all those black tea antioxidants, visibly firming and tightening skin overnight. I used this mask a couple times this month, not necessarily because I'm aging - although I am - but because it actually functions really well as a concentrated moisturizer, perfect for those few overnight freezes we experienced in February. The mask is so rich and decadent, and by morning my skin is always baby soft, super supple and bouncy.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser 
With the harsh temperatures this month, this cleanser really saved my skin. It's very easy for cleansers to get into the abrasive or drying category, but this one is gentle and great at cleansing skin without stripping it of essential moisture that you really need, especially in the winter.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
Nothing adds glamour to a cold weather outfit or a gloomy day like a serious red lip, and this shade has a hint of brick red that makes it more mature than a cherry or a neon red. It's one of those reds that looks a little bit lived in and actually applies well without a liner, looking a more effortless and not too perfect. It has matte, dry finish that a lot of people aren't fond of, but is actually my favorite. So long as my lips are paper dry, I know my lip color is intact.

Tata Harper Moisturizing Mask
If you haven't been turned on to Tata Harper, you should definitely pick up few samples and consider making the investment. The company is headquartered in Vermont where they make anti-aging skincare without any synthetic chemicals. I picked up a sample of the Moisturizing Mask at a Neiman Marcus's Project Beauty event in February and it's unlike any other moisturizing mask or product I have used to-date. Most moisturizing masks are heavy and dense, but Tata Harper's is milky, light, applies like a velvety oil and makes your skin luminous. It works well as an overnight treatment or as a 10-15 minute mask and is packed with hyaluronic acid for deeper hydration and anti-aging goodness.

Face Mask Favorites

Like many women consider certain items - a little black dress, a classic trench - staples in their wardrobe, I consider face masks the staples of my skincare regimen. They not only supplement my skincare routine, they pretty much form the foundation for it. Masks keep my skin in-check allowing me to have good days, more beautiful makeup application, and carry me from spa facial to spa facial.

I do 1-2 masks weekly --it's actually alright to do multiple masks weekly, so don't be afraid to incorporate them often into your routine. The week's special occasions, the weekend's feasts, my menstrual cycle (sorry for the men reading this - I know there are few of you, but still), the weather, all determine what mask I'll be using. I have intense moisturizing masks for the winter, masks that do the opposite in the summer, facial-in-a-jar masks for really important events, masks for when I'm seeing a breakout coming on (or worse, when it's already happened), and I'm constantly trying new ones for redness, minimizing pores, you name it. I get many questions about my favorite masks and which I recommend for certain conditions, so I wanted to list a few of my favorites and go-tos. These are my tried-and-true and many I'm very well stocked on at the moment while some are favorites from the past - all have given me great results.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
Good for clearing pores

I don't think I've rambled on enough about this one. I have a thousand selfies on Instagram wearing this and that I've mentioned it 10,000 more in this very young blog. And I currently have not one, but three bottles in stock - I'm always prepared and not taking risks with this one. I use this weekly, usually on Sundays, as a detox for my skin and to clear all the weekend's bad decisions, which always show. This is great for all skin types. It goes on like mud, with a creamy texture and dries hard. I always apply after cleansing with my Clarisonic, so the the product can get way in there. It always tingles a little, but is never irritating. I rinse off with very warm water and then finish with a splash of cold water to close my pores right back up. After using, my skin just feels clean, and like it can actually breathe.



Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask
Good for quenching dry skin

This is a super-charged version of Origins' Drink-Up mask and is perfect for the dry winter months. In Texas, winter lasts just a few short weeks, but already this year I've had to use this twice during a harsh* early-November cold front. This mask is ideal if you have dry skin or live in a cold climate. My skin isn't typically dry, but for those times that I do encounter a need for added moisture, I turn to this. My skin can actually get into the oily category, so I was worried about breaking out when I used this, as I do anytime I use moisture or oil-rich products. This mask is creamy and rich with avocado oil. I was pleasantly surprised to find this mask doesn't make me break out. The mask applies deliciously, and has a very sweet but subtle scent of apricot from the apricot kernel oil. Immediately after applying, it does feel heavy and almost sticky, but after time your skin actually begins to drink the moisture right up. In the morning, your skin will feel like a dream. I also love to use just a bit of this on my hands and elbows.


*Harsh winters in Texas have 30 to 40-degree days.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay
Good for controlling excess oil

The entire Skin Rescue collection is blemish fighting powerhouse. This mask is not slacking in the oil-control department, and it's my best friend during the summer when my skin is more prone to breakouts. Anytime I see a hint of a breakout or a blemish, I grab this out of my medicine cabinet and nip the problem right in the bud. The mask goes on very sticky, so you really have to work it into your skin and around your face. The color is a bit shocking at first - blood red. Every time I wear it, Andres either screams in terror or gives me a funny new nickname like Oompa Loompa. The mask dries into a film and peels right off, but unlike other masks that peel, the peeling process for this is very gentle and painless. It's very calming, refines pores and makes skin look and feel super smooth. I always get compliments after using this.



Boscia Luminizing Black Mask 
Good for brightening and detoxifying skin

Like the First Aid Beauty Red Clay mask above, the peeling process here is not painless. You've been warned. But it is tolerable. Our bodies were made to birth babies, so you can definitely handle this. This was actually one of my first forays into face mask territory and I have loved it since, despite that one con. It's a mask that does what it says it will do (detoxify, purify and even brighten). This stuff applies similarly to the First Aid Beauty Red Clay mask, except it's even thicker and stickier. It's a jet black color and goes on like paint. You have to layer this well and again, wait for it to dry and peel right off. Be careful near your hairline and eyebrows when using this. It's like pulling a bandaid. But worth the pain because it leaves skin super soft and definitely more radiant.



Glam Glow YouthMud 
Good for just about everything

This is the priciest of my favorites so this mask is definitely reserved for very special occasions. At $70 for 1.7 ounces, this is sadly not a mask I can afford to use weekly. This mask purifies, it clears pores, it makes you glow, glow, glow, it moisturizes, it gently exfoliates with volcanic rock, it tingles and your skin will feel soft for days after you use it. I used it last before my company's holiday party on a Saturday, and the following Wednesday I was still caressing my own cheek. It's meant to function as a facial in a jar, and I can really stand by that claim.



Lush Cosmetics Catastrophe Cosmetics and Brazened Honey//All Lush Masks
Good for whatever your needs may be

I've included these in my favorites because of the variety of recipes, the jar size and the price. These masks are each under $7 for 2.1 ounces, so they're great to buy in multiples to test or for when you're in a bind and need a quick, cost-efficient fix. These masks are all fresh-made and are kept in an in-store refrigerator, which you're also supposed to do when you take them home. I've tried the Catastrophe Cosmetic which comes with blueberries (great antioxidant), and chamomile to calm and cleanse the skin. I've also used the Brazened Honey which is great for tired skin. The honey in it is super moisturizing (leaves your skin oh-so-soft, I know because I just used it) and also a great cleanser. And since you keep them in the fridge, these are cold and extra calming when applied. And as a bonus, if you take 5 empty mask pots back to a Lush store, you'll get one mask free. You have to use these a couple times a week, they have a 3-week shelf life because they're made with fresh ingredients, and the scent is very strong. But if you can get past that, you'll love these.