July/August 2017 Favorites

One of the things I missed with the timing of my Mac's demise was posting my July favorites. Grab yourself a snack or a drink because I'm going to make this a two-month post, and cover a lot of territory.

Let's start with makeup. I'd planned to review many of these items already, but that's not going to stop me from sharing them in September. Please note that anything with a hyperlink is a direct shopping link.

Primers:

I discovered my current HG priming routine over the past two months. It's rather complicated, but that's ok. Depending on the weather and my skin, I start with a color-correcting primer for my red areas. I'm actually out of my favorite (Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primer- Redness), and I won't repurchase until I finish up all of the green primers in my collection. I'm almost down to my last one. Next, I either go in with CoverFX Mattifying Primer if it's going to be a humid day or an illuminating primer (I've loved the CoverFX Illuminating Primer and Milani Prime Light Strobing Primer over the past two months). Next, for some pore filling, I reach for the  Milk Makeup Blur Stick. Next, onto my problem areas (11s and smile lines) I smooth the tiniest bit of L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base. I finish by spraying the Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Spray- which I'll be sharing the good news about with you soon. I also was boring in terms of an eye combination- MAC Painterly Paint Pot, set with Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Lid & Liner Primer.


Eyeshadow:

I think the number of palettes I've been through should be an indication that I wouldn't have many shadow favorites. That's true. I purchased the original LORAC Mega Pro palette when it went up on the brand's website. I'm in love. Same with the LORAC Mega Pro 2, which was my July obsession. Although a recent purchase, I keep reaching for lid shades from the MAC Power Hungry Palette.

In terms of items I've been loving that aren't available, it's the Tom Ford Unabashed Palette and Marc Jacobs The Lolita (which I got from the brand as part of a mystery bag). I've also been loving my MAC Double Custom Palette, which I pulled from my hundreds of shades. It lives in my drawer, whereas the Mega Pros live on my vanity. I've also pulled a mini Smashbox CoverShot Trio in Screenshot.


Eyeliner and Mascara:


I've been so basic the past two months. I've been keeping it basic, with the Wet 'n Wild Skinny Tip Eyeliner coming back into my rotation (review coming in September), while still loving Anastasia Beverly Hills Darkside Liner, and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners. I told you I was boring! Again, another place where I've been pretty boring is mascara. I adore using my Urban Decay Subversion Primer, and have been loving a trio of mascaras: It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara, Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.


Now, onto the face. Let's talk Concealers and Correctors:

As always, I'm in love with Tarte Shape Tape, but I've also been loving Cle de Peau The Concealer for face concealing when self-tanned. In terms of correctors, I've been trying a few but the only one I've really been loving is my staple Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector.

Foundations and Powders:

I've been keeping it pretty simple these days. On the foundation front, I'm still loving Lancome Teint Idole, La Mer The Foundation (when not self-tanned), Givenchy Teint Couture Balm, and MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour on the weekend. When self-tanned, I also loved the CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream. I've also fallen for It Cosmetics CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Complexion Balm this summer.

Four powders have lived in my drawer for the past two months: MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, RCMA No Color Powder, and Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder.

Bronzer:

It must be summer if I'm obsessed with more bronzers than anything else! L'Oreal Glam Bronze is so good and so similar to one of my other favorites- Marc Jacobs Tan-Tastic. Algenist's Color Correcting Bronzer also found its way back into rotation, as well as Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer. My favorite new bronzer is Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Capri Coast.




Contour:

Two contour kits stole my heart these past two months. I've been loving the sadly-discontinued Fiona Stiles Sheer Contour Kit in Light/Medium and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit in Light/Medium.


Blush:

I wish I could admit to being more adventurous than I have been. I've been using my Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes the most frequently.

My custom MAC blush quad and Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15 make occasional guest appearances.

In terms of single blushes, there have only been three in rotation. Too Faced Love Flush blushes in Justify My Love and Baby Love (something I adore from last 21 Days of Beauty) and Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso.


Highlighter:

I've also been pretty boring in terms of highlighter. Laura Geller French Vanilla lives in my drawer, along with Essence Be My Highlight these days. When I was self-tanned, I finally discovered the beauty of Becca Opal. I also loved Dose of Colors Highlighter in Milk 'n Honey.

Lipliner:

I kept it simple in terms of lipliner. The most frequently used was Bobbi Brown Lipliner in Beige, combined with Lancome Le Lipstique in Clair.

Lipstick:

I kept things so basic these last couple of months.  MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl (special packaging), Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Ultra Beige (from that Nordstrom set), Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker (100pt perk size), Marc Jacobs Sheer Gel Lipstick in Have We Met? , and MAC Lipstick in Love at First Bite.


Liquid Lipstick:

I really only used two most of the summer- bareMinerals Statement Matte Lip Color in Juicy and bareMinerals GenNude Liquid Lipstick in Slay.


Lip Gloss:

I kept it simple here too! I blame this on hot days and playing with lots of different colors. MAC Vamplify Lipgloss in Spanking Haute, MAC Creamsheen Glass in ChaChaCha, Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipglosses in Amber, Caramel, and Saint Tropez.


PHEW!

Now, let's talk Skincare.

I've been loving this combo- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Avene Gentle Toning Lotion, Enlite When it Rains, It Pores Serum, Enlite Face Cardio (I'm so angry that CVS discontinued these), First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, The Ordinary Caffeine Eye Serum, Avene Mattifying Fluid.

You probably know I'm really into sheet masks. I've been loving two main active ingredients this summer- Tea Tree and my beloved Red Wine. Pictured are the TonyMoly I'm Real Tea Tree Mask , 7 Days Tea Tree Mask, and TonyMoly I'm Real Red Wine Pore Care Mask. All of these can either be found at the pharmacy, at TJMaxx, or in multi-packs from the brand around the $2-2.50 range each.

I raved about this earlier in the week, but I'm obsessed with Simple's new Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water.

Other:

I know that it's not exactly fair to include an item I only purchased on the 26th, but I knew immediately that I knew this product. If you're in the market for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker, I recommend the AmazonBasics Wireless Speaker ($29.99 for the black version I purchased). One of my huge complaints about my new laptop was the horrible audio. This has saved the day for me so nicely. It's not the world's best speaker, but it's an affordable speaker if you're looking to boost your laptop.

Non-makeup, but a total fun lifesaver: MyTagalongs Stargazer Charger & Cord Case ($18, Nordstrom). I've tucked my Michael Kors travel charger, two pairs of headphones (one for my work computer and one for my iPhone), and a couple of other daily necessities into here. I also bought the Headphones case ($10) once I realized how lovely these were.

What have you been loving the second half of summer?

September 2014 Favorites

I'm running a bit late for my monthly favorites, but here goes:

Reviews are linked where appropriate; others will be coming very soon.


Eyes:
Giorgio Armani Organica Eye Palette- By far and away my favorite purchase in awhile, possibly of the year. It's perfect, and creates a foolproof look for me.
Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro #3- My new brow obsession.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Liquid Eyeliner- My new go-to eyeliner pen.


Lips:
NARS Audacious Lipsticks- My new obsession. I can't wait to share these with you. I'm putting my group through their paces.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. in B*tch Perfect- My new favorite nude.
Lancome Lip Lover 314 Casse Noisette- I'm in love with this formula, and I've been picking up more of the neutral shades lately.


Cheeks:
Chantecaille Cheek Fabric in Bliss- My go-to and perfect cheeks in a palette.
Benefit Rockateur Blush- Perfect for fall, and I don't pull it out often

Nails:

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Black Cherry- My favorite new vampy shade.
Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Bordeaux Lust- I keep going back to this over and over again. It's perfect for my moody nails.
Sephora by OPI Go My Own Way- An old nail polish but one of my favorites. This shade just seems right with my current wardrobe during this month of transition.
Chanel Le Vernis Secret- A lovely, clean nude for fall.
Lancome French Idole Vernis in Love Amethyste Brune- A wonderfully complex, moody purple.
Fragrance:
Si by Giorgio Armani- My transition scent. If I had a better nose for scent, I'd rave about it.


What all did you love last month?

Look out for new posts starting tomorrow!

Late Summer Skincare Routine (PM)

Like my morning routine, this will be changing with the seasons- although not as much as I originally thought.  I've been swapping out my Shiseido Softener for the First Aid Beauty pads in an effort to get my skin at its best

• Caudalie Makeup Removing Water: This is my first experience using a "Makeup Removing Water," although similar products (like the NARS version) have piqued my interest in the past.  I'm nearly through my second bottle of this- and will keep it on-hand. It's very gentle yet effective.
• Shiseido Facial Cotton: Once you try these, you'll never go back to regular cotton again.  These are a pampering treat for my skin. This is the third full pack I've used this year.
• Laura Mercier Oil-Free Makeup Remover: This stuff is amazing- it will take off even the most stubborn makeup.  Just a little bit for the remaining waterproof mascara is all you need.
• Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Removing Wipes: One of the places where I save money is by using drugstore-brand makeup removing wipes. I've bounced around, but usually alternate these with Boots No.7 wipes. I haven't seen a difference between high-end wipes and these, and I'd rather save money where it's possible.
• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Creamy Cleanser: See the morning post for mini-review.
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads:  See the morning post for a mini-review.
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum: Review pending.
• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Eye Cream: This is the eye cream that re-invigorated my interest in skincare. Full review pending because it was a game-changer for me personally.
• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Night Cream/Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Night Emulsion: It will be clear at the end of the month why I've got 2 night creams in rotation.  For those who aren't clear on Shiseido's vocabulary, the Emulsions (Day/Night) are significantly lighter than the Creams.  These are part of my HG skincare routine which I've been using faithfully for the past year.
• Shiseido Benefiance Lip Treatment: See morning post for mini-review.

Late Summer Skincare routine (AM)

It's safe to say that my 9-5 is anything but. It's more like a 6:30-5, and involves getting up before civility sets in each morning.  Still, it's important to set the right tone for the day in terms of skincare and beauty.  Of course, it needs to be something easily comprehensible around 5AM.

My routine varies significantly with the seasons.  Here's my current morning skincare, late summer 2013

• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Creamy Cleanser: While the shower heats up (and my pores open up), this is the first product to hit my skin in the morning.
• Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream:  I wasn't one for exfoliating my sensitive skin with any regularity until I received a deluxe sample of this product in a GWP.  Like many other ladies, I find it a perfect product to use in the shower.
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads:  I like these pads- they're exfoliating cotton pads soaked in the product.  They're gentle, and supposed to be opening up pores.  I haven't noticed a significant reduction in the number of blemishes/blackheads/clogged pores that I have, but I've had multiple MUAs comment on my skin lately- and I only changed two products (this and the serum).  It's gentle enough that I can use it twice a day on sensitive skin.
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum: Full review coming in the next couple of days.
• Shiseido Sunscreen: This is the item that varies the most per season. I'm ghostly white by nature, and use sunscreen accordingly. If I'm headed out into the actual sun, I use both the facial version and the body sunscreen. I also tuck the SPF35 lip balm under my lipstick.  During the winter, I often go days without seeing the sun (into work before sunrise, out following sunset), so I rely on the SPF built into my various products.
•  Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream:  Confession time.  I'm not a fan of this product, but I was able to get it with a Sephora VIB code earlier this year and was looking for a lighter eye cream for the hot and humid summers. My beloved Shiseido eye cream is a bit rich for hot, humid, and in the 90s.  I had this perfectly good eye cream already in my stash.  I haven't seen any major improvements from this product, and won't be repurchasing it. Still, it does what I ask during the day.
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid, SPF 15:  See review here.
  
• Shiseido Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment:  I purchased this initially in March 2013 to qualifty for a GWP at Shiseido during the Nordstorm Beauty Trend Event. It's bay far the most expensive lip treatment I've tried, but is the only thing I own that soothes my inflamed lips after using a sugar scrub.  Due to the price, it's a pre-lipstick and pre-bed treat for my lips.

The key to all of these products is that they're all lightweight and absorb almost immediately. There's little to no downtime between products, which is key before the crack of dawn.