1. Agave Lip Mask by Bite Beauty

I wrote about this in last week's post on lip care already, but I wanted to add that Bite is apparently releasing a lavender one in the U.S. soon and I'm so excited.

2. Sephora Collection PRO Mini Flawless Airbrush #56.5

This was this year's VIB Rouge gift, and what a great gift it was. At first, I was skeptical because I've typically relied on more firm brushes for my foundation, but this one surprised me. It spreads the foundation evenly without leaving a streaky mess, and it also doesn't soak up too much of the product either. And it's nice and travel-sized!

3. S'well water bottle

I got a S'well water bottle in December as part of an event swag bag, and I love it. All last year, I struggled to find the right water bottle that wouldn't leak in my backpack or fall apart unexpectedly. So by the time I got this bottle, my first thought was, "How will this disappoint me?"

Well, so far – it hasn't. It really does keep liquids cold for a really long time (Na got one of the coffee tumblers recently and said it's kept her coffee warm for a longer period of time than other tumblers) and the lid is secure. Plus, it isn't bulky! The best of all worlds.

4. Sephora Collection's #Lipstories Lipstick

These are $8. I repeat: Eight. Dollars.

And they're gorgeous. The formula is creamy and the colors are gorgeous. I also love the packaging, even though I've heard some people criticize it because it's paper-based. But I think that's what makes it unique, and I love the idea of having each tube serve as a sort of photo postcard of sorts.

My current obsession: Hong Kong by Night. It's beautiful.

5. Boulangerie Jar - Espresso

I've been obsessed with this coffee-smelling candle since sniffing it at Anthropologie, so it was such a delight to get it as a Christmas present from Amanda! It's a subtle scent when you light it, and it looks pretty on my desk too.

6. RÅSKOG Utility cart

My new bathroom doesn't have a ton of storage space (really, it has none), so I've had to make it work in my room instead – which is fine because doing my makeup at my new desk/vanity set-up is much better than leaning over the sink to see myself in a mirror. The best addition to all of this: this utility cart from IKEA that holds all of the makeup I'm reaching for frequently, plus nail polish and lotions, all stored in handy little baskets on the cart. And I can even wheel this thing to the bathroom if I want to do my makeup in there.

Watch this:

• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• I, Tonya
• Kids Baking Championship on Food Network (this is literally the purest thing in the world)

1. Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored by Fenty Beauty

It's been marketed as the perfect red for all skin tones, and speaking as someone who's had trouble finding the "perfect red," I can vouch for this lip paint. It isn't too bright of a red, nor does it come out too orange-y, like a lot of reds do on me. I've also heard from some people who find the applicator weird, but I actually like it a lot. The long handle gives a lot of control (it reminds me of those Louboutin nail polishes) and you get a lot of product on one dip (although that might have something to do with the formula itself).

The problem I have with this, though, is that it's kind of a mess. It gets on anything you're eating or drinking, and yet the color stays on my lips – which also makes it hard to take off.

Happy DECEMBER! That's wild. The year is almost over... but my obsession with Kylie Cosmetics is only just beginning. Read on!

1. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green



I can't even talk about this book right now without stumbling over my words. It's beautiful and upsetting and familiar and absolutely wonderful, and I think it's my new favorite John Green book. I felt so close to the main character, and the way he captures the voices of young adult women and gets right in their heads has always amazed me. It's like listening to the internal dialogue of my 16-year-old brain, and Turtles All the Way Down hit even closer because of those spirals that I've found myself in too.

I can't say enough about this book. (And yes, I cried.) Just read it.

Man, October felt like a slow favorites month because my September was filled with new things I loved. It's not that I didn't love things in October, but I traveled more than expected and was a bit out of sorts. Also, it's been 100 degrees in LA and I've still been living like it's summer.

Anyways. Onto the favorites plus my watching/listening recommendations that I've been forgetting to include in my favorites posts:

1. Blue Oversized Denim Jacket from New Look


OK. The 100-degree weather has not been the right time for this. But I've worn it a few times in the evening and also when going from coast-to-coast and it is so cozy. I love the oversized look of it and it's a great travel jacket because it doubles as a nice blanket, and the denim isn't too heavy either. It's just a nice jacket. I can't wait to wear it more once the temperature drops.

I've been excited to do this month's favorites list all month because September was a good one for new things. It's also getting into that cozy autumn season soon (at least, I hope so...I don't remember how California's seasons work) so instead of freaking out about my super dry skin and trying to match my foundation to my tan, here we are with new products that have been making me love life lately:

1. Just Peachy Velvet Matte Eye Shadow Palette – Peaches and Cream Collection by Too Faced


As soon as I saw the Sephora email about Too Faced's new Peaches and Cream collection, my heart jumped a little. If you know me, you know how much I love Too Faced, especially their Sweet Peach collection. And an all-matte eyeshadow palette? What more could you want?

The colors are gorgeous (and subtle) and the shadows blend beautifully. The scent also isn't too overwhelming, and I know some people don't like that about Too Faced's scented palettes. The Peaches and Cream collection seems a little more subtle. I poked around at other products in the collection, and there were a few misses (I don't like the primer), but if you're going to get one thing from this set, get this palette.

I don't have many new product favorites from this past month; it's been more of a month to rediscover some old standbys that have quickly become favorites. Also, I think at this point I should do an update on some "unfavorites," but I find a list of "favorites" tends to be more fun...

Speaking of favorites updates: Cheer Up Buttercup is now available online!

1. Sleepy Hand and Body Lotion by Lush


I bought this last Christmas when it was a holiday exclusive, but I'm not surprised it's gone into the regular product line. If you love Twilight (and you know I do!), you'll love Sleepy. It's got a strong lavender scent and is so soft and moisturizing – and it's a gorgeous purple in the pot.

About a month after I bought it, I packed up to move across the country and then misplaced the pot for awhile. When I unpacked it, I would use it infrequently and then just sort of stopped altogether because I was using Dream Cream before bed to calm my skin. But I've started reintroducing small bits of Sleepy into my bedtime routine, and it's been knocking me out quickly and helping me sleep through the night. Who knows, it could just be a placebo effect, but I'll take it.

In between crying over Dear Evan Hansen and catching up on my YouTube sub box, July passed by in such a blur. I'm trying to focus these "favorites" list on products and keep the entertainment (podcasts, shows, music, book) to a "what I'm listening to/watching/reading" section at the end. Not a perfect structure to these lists so far, but who needs perfect? ;)

1. A French Kiss Bubble Bar by Lush


Y'all know I love me some lavender – and this bubble bar doesn't disappoint. I had never used a bubble bar before, but watching it crumble and form the bubbles for a luscious purple bath is addictive. The scent is wonderful and relaxing and it doesn't leave an annoying color stain on the tub like I was worried it might.

I feel like I spent June half-asleep until VidCon arrived, and then suddenly I was hit by this wave of energy. That being said, I barely had time to keep track of some of my favorite things from this past month.

1. Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion by Lush



It's one of Lush's "best-selling" lotions for a reason, which probably also makes me a bit out of touch by including this on a June 2017 favorites list. I actually received a sample of this last year, and was told it was developed with those who suffer from eczema in mind. I've read up on it, and it seems to be hit or miss for many, but I began using it pretty regularly once I moved to Los Angeles where the dryness and unexpected winter heat hit me harder than I expected. Having grown up in California, I was pretty used to my skin flaring up with small rashes due to the heat, and having grown up with mild bouts of eczema, I knew what helped and didn't help too. Unfortunately the one thing I always relied on was a topical cream that contained steroids, but even that should be used sparingly because of damages it could do if too much is used.

The other thing that I discovered quickly worked though? Dream Cream. It would stop the itching, which helped me sleep, and it doesn't leave a sticky or oily feeling. The downside, in my opinion, is that it's not the most pleasant smell you could get from Lush, but it's not offensive either.

So many of my favorite things in May had a lot to do with what kept me company on my travels. I've spent so much time the past few weeks in airports and hotels, and bopping around from place to event to outing. (For an introvert like me, that's exhausting.)

This month's list is a combination of beauty products that kept me glowing during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events, to entertainment-related things that helped me get through all those travel delays...

1. BECCA X Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette by BECCA


I was dying to get my hands on this palette when I saw Chrissy Teigen was collaborating with BECCA, which has been my new favorite brand for highlighters this year. I traveled with this BECCA x Chrissy palette for my APAHM events at the end of May and – not only did it make my makeup collection so much more compact – it was the best accessory for every outfit. Everything is subtle, yet dewy, and not too pigmented either (which adds to that subtlety).

I was so busy last month preparing for this month (I also just launched a podcast with Charles: more about it here) that I don't have many new new things to tell you about, but I have some oldies – but goodies – to gush about. Also, I'm adding a list at the end of what's been on repeat on my Spotify (both new releases and old favorites):

1. Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection Palette


OK, this one's new(ish): I managed to snag the Too Faced reward from Sephora in February and it finally came in the mail in April. I'm a huge fan of Too Faced palettes, and was slightly disappointed by their White Chocolate Chip release. What's nice about the Peach palette is that it's got a variety of warmer spring tones that's been missing from their chocolate series. It also smells like peaches, which is my second favorite scent!

I'm a bit light on favorites this month – not because I didn't like things, but because I don't think I explored enough new items really worth writing home about.

That having been said, March was a fine enough month, but it was so busy that I fell massively behind on reading and TV and film and, well...life in general.

But here are a couple of things I'd recommend from the month...

1. BECCA Prismatic Amethyst highlighter

Watch this Instagram video previewing the amethyst highlighter and try not to be mesmerized. I love this highlighter, and I've never been one to really use highlighters in the first place. But since moving back to a state where the sun is out more often than not, I figured now's the time to dive right into this shimmery trend. This BECCA powder is subtle, but still provides a unique tint to those cheeks. I'm obsessed.

Be glad I'm combining the past two months because, otherwise, my January favorites would've just been IKEA furniture.

Speaking of which! I've finally settled into my apartment out here on the Best Coast – at least, as settled as I can be right now. The moving boxes are gone, I have a rice cooker (finally!)... with the exception of a couple of missing things (I'm going to be talking about the end table I want to buy for months, I bet), I'm pretty much unpacked and pleased with it.

Surprisingly, as in love as I am with my apartment, there's only one apartment-related thing on this list...

1. Pillowfort Glass Table Lamp 


This is just one of my favorite things in my apartment, but currently near the top of that list. It's operated by touching the base, which turns it on and off. If there's one thing that can further encourage my laziness, it's this.

This is a bit overdue, considering it's 18 days into the new year and I meant to write this 18 and a half days ago. But after spending the last week or two giving makeup advice to some of my friends (actually, one of my favorite things to chat about!), it reminded me that I need to catch up on my blog drafts...

Also, who doesn't love a good favorites list? I've always struggled at the end of each year to do my annual round-up, but I think I'd like to sprinkle more of these throughout my blog (which will help with that goal I've made of creating weekly content...more on that later).

These aren't necessarily all new products that came out in 2016, just new to my favorites/routine. (Also, none of this is sponsored – I wish!)

1. Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint by tarte

This year was rough, and so many of my 2016 "favorites" were things that helped keep me distracted amidst all the crap that happened over the last 12 months. So, in no particular order, here's my annual list that I probably won't keep doing in the future because monthly favorites are way easier to keep track of than these end-of-the-year giant roundups that, inevitably, leave out many things from the first half of the year...

One disclaimer: not everything on this list came out in 2016. I'm just really late to things.

(Also, in preparation for my end-of-the-year lists, I asked my friends on Facebook what some of their favorite pop culture things were in 2016, and their super cool and interesting answers reminded me how behind I am on pretty much everything.)

I'm still working on my annual "year-ender" blog post, but in the meantime, I wrote a list to help me procrastinate on my other list.