Hi guys! I can't believe we are more than half way through the year! Time is flying by so quickly, before we know it summer will be over and we will be moving into the Fall. I thought I'd pop on today and share with you some of the things I have been loving. I'll start with makeup and then I will finish up with some non-beauty favorites.
MAKEUP - FACE
I haven't been wearing very much makeup at all this summer. On average I'll put some on maybe 1 or 2 days a week (at the most). And when I do, I haven't been using any foundation, just my It Cosmetics CC+ Cream. As far as bronzer, highlighter, and blush goes, I've been using my Milani XL Bronzer in Fake Tan, MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle, and MAC blush in Peaches.
MAKEUP: BROWS
A total no brainer - all I have used are these Anastasia Brow Wiz pencils. Perfect.
MAKEUP - EYES
Surprisingly enough, the only eyeshadows I've been using are actually pigments. For whatever reason, I have never been a big fan of pigments until recently. But I have totally been into them this summer, they are everything you could want in the summer. Light and shimmery on the lid, nothing too dark and heavy, but so pretty and sparkly they're just the right amount of pop on the lid. My favorite 3 that I have been reaching for are MAC loose pigment in Tan, Makeup Geek loose pigment in Afterglow, and MAC pressed pigment in Summer Honey. Sooooooo gorgeous. (The Makeup Geek pigment and the pressed pigment by MAC I purchased from each of their websites. The loose pigment by MAC I purchased in this small sample size from
TheBodyNeeds2 website. If you haven't checked them out, I highly recommend doing so. You get a ton of product for just a couple of bucks).
Pictured: MAC Tan, Makeup Geek Afterglow, MAC Summer Honey
Tan definitely has more of a rose-gold tint, Afterglow is a more champagne-gold, and Summer Honey is more of a pink-gold. All shimmery, sparkly, and gorgeousssss.
MAKEUP - LINERS & MASCARA
I have basically used 2 black eyeliners, the Physician's Formula Eye Booster pen in Ultra Black and the Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black with any eyeliner brush. Both really black, both have a matte finish, both super easy to apply, and both stay put all day. Love.
I have been really trying to use up some of my mascaras. All of my mascaras are in the blackest black shade available. Favorites for the month include Nars, Maybelline Rocket Volume, Rimmel Glam Eyes...
Diorshow, and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes!
MAKEUP - LIPS
I've used some lipstick this month, but mainly I've used gloss or some type of balm. Pictured: Maybelline Color Whisper in Orange Attitude, Revlon Balm Stain in Rendezvous, and Nars lipgloss in Orgasm. These particular shades all go with the MAC blush I mentioned above so well.
MAKEUP - SETTING SPRAY
An oldie but goodie. I've not used any setting powders or anything this month, I've just used this to set my makeup and I have totally been loving it.
HAIR
Pantene has always made my hair feel super soft, and I couldn't have been happier when I found these on sale at Big Lots.
I'm not for sure if Alterna still sells this particular product, but I have always enjoyed this. Gives me good volume and helps protect my tresses from the sun. I'm sure you could find this on eBay or Amazon, etc.
SKIN - BODY
As far as body lotions go, I almost always use one with a gradual tanner in them. This BB Cream feels glorious on your skin! Makes you feel buttery soft and leaves behind veryyyy little color. Love love love how hydrating this is and how silky you feel after you use it.
SKIN - FACE
I have been on a mission to get rid of the blackheads on my face, and recently purchased these 2 Proactiv products - the Repairing Lotion and 3 bottles of the Refining Mask. These two products have been amazingggg. I keep blackheads on my nose and chin, and these have really cleared things up, and they have really tightened my pores as well. These are the only 2 products I have ever used in my life that have actually made a difference with blackheads.
I have been using this AM and PM moisturizer both by the brand Nerium. It's a fairly new product that hasn't been around all that long, that I was introduced to by my aunt. So far I totally love it. It feels great on my skin and has kept me from getting the least bit dry with the Proactiv products. It's not available everywhere, so if you are interested in trying it just let me know. I can tell you where to get it!
Only in the past year or so have I started really using serums on a regular basis, and out of the ones that I have tried, these are 2 of my favorites. The first one is the L'oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector and the 2nd one is the Garnier Ultra-Lift. I don't know how much they have done on their own, but along with the Proactiv and the Nerium, I have noticed quite a bit of difference in my pore size. I think the Proactiv has worked at really cleaning my pores out, and the serums and moisturizer have really worked at tightening and closing up my pores.
I rotate eye creams like you wouldn't believe. I usually end up just grabbing whatever, but these 3 are the only ones I've used this month: Tarte Maracuja C-Brightener, Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, and the Origins GinZing. Love all of these soooooo much. Each one keeps your eye area super hydrated and moisturized.
TEETH
I know, such an odd thing to put in your favorites, but I really do love these toothpastes! I feel like the Crest really does give you a little bit of whitening, and the Aquafresh Extreme Clean gives you suuuuuuch a clean feeling mouth. Both taste great and I have bought both of these numerous, numerous times.
NAILS
A total game-changer with your nails. I use this all the time, love love love this stuff. Ulta had a buy-2-get-1-free sale, so I stocked up. Go get you some of this, you won't regret it.
CLOTHING
American Eagle denim shorts = best denim shorts ever. Well, I guess I should say best denim ever PERIOD. AE is basically all I wear in any type of denim. It fits good, feels good, and is a great quality. Pictured here are a pair of 6" button-fly boyfriend shorts and a pair of darker wash bermudas with a cuffed bottom.
Destroyed 9" bermudas, and 3" destroyed button-fly boyfriend shorts.
Maxi dresses are a dream for summer - so light and airy and simple.
Both of these are from Target - the coral one is by Merona and the Blue is by Mossimo.
Yummies
I could live on Iced Passion Tea. SOOOOO good! Ugh! I love floral teas anyway, and this one is no different. I found this at Wal-Mart and have been drinking it nonstop.
SCENTS - HOME
Current scent I am using in the house is Marshmallow Fireside. Best. Room. Scent. Ever. Period. And can we just take a second to notice how cute the Dogwood plug-in is?
SCENTS - CAR
