This is the last Pretty Powerful product post of 2025, ladies! I started this monthly post to share with you all the products I use during the month that have really made a positive impact on my self-image, confidence, and have put the joy back into getting ready for the everyday. Isn’t that what we all strive for with the products we spend our hard-earned money on??
I chose to wear this shade of emerald green for this post because green represents new beginnings, a fresh start, and growth. It is also the color of nature, which is why it is tightly associated with growth, life, vitality, and a fresh beginning. A very appropriate way to approach an upcoming new year, right?
So without further ado, here are some of my best finds for this last month of 2025 I think you should know about (in case you’ve got some extra Christmas money to use up!)…
Pretty Powerful December Beauty Favorites
1. Under-Eye Patches
Terez and Honor collagen eye patches, $24. I’ve tried so many versions of under-eye masks, and have made some repurchases along the way. But these KBeauty ones found on Amazon are now superior and my new faves.
They form perfectly around the eyes, don’t slip off, and when removed, I can feel and see a difference in the added hydration under my eyes!
2. Lip + Cheek Stain
e.l.f. Sheer For It Cheek + Lip stain, $6, in shade “Left On Red”. It’s a close dupe for theBenefit Benetint stain, $28, like mega close! I love the sheer pop of color it can bring to the face and look like a true natural flush of cheek color. I have found that these types of stains look so much better when applied witha cream blush brush (over streaky fingers), and you must work fast before it literally stains in place!
3. Life Planner
Erin Condren Life Planners, $60. Okay, so not a beauty product, but it is a beautiful product that I use every single day of my life. I get one every year for Christmas from my sister-in-law, and it’s my favorite and most useful gift. This planner is my lifeline and how I keep track of my days, to-dos, and future events. I enjoy this paper planner more than my iPhone calendar. There’s just something about pen to paper, and she always gets my name put on the front of it!
4. Shower Oil
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, $29. I love my shower time, and this foaming oil makes me love it more. It leaves a smooth, satin-like softness all over my body. It is rich in almond oil and nourishing lipids, and it cleanses gently to leave your skin with a delicate perfume that doesn’t fight with my perfume.
5. Eye Shadow Single
Urban Decay Moondust single, in “Space Cowboy,” $25. Supercharged sparkle shadow single that I’ve been wearing for YEARS, and it’s the perfect eye topper or standalone sheer shimmer. You can achieve a wet lid look with this, and it’s flatteringly subtle on anyone! It’s the right blend of warm champagne with silver sparkles.
6. Vanilla Perfume
Kayali Vanilla 28 Perfume, $100. I bought this fragrance over a month ago, and I cannot get enough of it. I probably spray on way too much, but this warm spicy vanilla makes me smell expensive! No other way to describe this scent! Luxury vanilla, and the bottle is gorgeous. It’s available in smaller versions if you’re not sure you want to invest in the bigger bottle just yet.
7. Priming Cream Eyeshadow
Morphe Solo artist priming cream shadow, shade “debut”, $10. Again, another dupe for a high-end favorite – the MAC Cosmetics paint pot in “Painterly,” $28. This cream pot shadow doubles for me as an eyelid primer before I apply my powder shadows. This color “debut” helps to cancel out any redness or veins in my eyelids, making my lids appear more youthful and brighter, and keeps my shadows from fading during the day. See how similar they arehere on my LTK.
8. Lip Liner + Gloss
e.l.f. Creamy Glide lip liners, $3. The more I think about it, why would I ever want to pay $25+ for a lip pencil?? When I can buy 8 different shades of this creamy glide liner that e.l.f. makes, for that same price?! Wearing “baddest beige” here with the e.l.f. Lip + cheek stain, topped off with e.l.f. Plumping lip oil in “divine wine.”
The rest of my look details: A similar green turtleneck sweater from Talbots, $89, that also comes in over 8 other shades! Lower-priced version mock turtleneck here from J.Crew Factory, $39 // My celestial star power earrings from Bauble Bar, $48. // Not pictured, Spanx Wide Leg Jeans, $158, are the best jeans! // Wearing the Milk Makeup Hydro Gel skin tint mentioned in last week’s post on how to Stop Over-Complicating Your Makeup Routine!
As this final post of 2025 goes live, I’d like to thank ALL of you ladies who faithfully meet me here every Saturday on SAACA. Your consistency, curiosity, trust, and messages in the comment section are the reason this community keeps thriving! I’ll see you next year, ready to continue celebrating beauty in all its powerful, real-life forms. Love, Jennifer
Thank Jennifer for all the great posts. Happy new year! I look forward to hearing your beauty tips in 2026.
HNY to you too Susy and thanks for being here! Cheers to 2026!
Jennifer, I love your columns and look forward to reading them every week! Would you consider doing a piece specifically on eye creams for women with different skin types? At 64, my brow bone area is crepey, and I don’t know what to use there, as my skin is oily and I don’t want to get clogged pores there! Thank you.
I always enjoy reading your recommendations. Thanks and Happy New Year.
I’m thrilled to hear this Linda about my recommendations! Here’s to hoping I send some more good ones your way in 2026. Thank you for being here.
Always love the dupes you find for high end brands. Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2026! Happy New Year!🎊
You look stunning today – the green sweater just pops! Thank you for sharing these make up tips !
I enjoy reading your posts- and often do take your advice in trying new products. I have noticed that you use press on nails and I was wondering if you could recommend the best brands to try. Thank you! 😊
Happy new year Jennifer! I look forward to your beauty posts in 2026.
I like that Jennifer doesn’t just choose high end brands but gives other, like e.l.f. , a chance.
Happy New Year Jennifer! You are glowing. Wish my skin looked that good a glowy.
Love your posts and it’s wonderful that we’ll keep seeing them in the new year.
Thanks, Jennifer. Love your posts! I appreciate you giving lower priced options for us!