July Favorites

Hi guys!

I can't believe it's already time to do favorites again. This summer has been so busy that it is flying by! Thankfully, I've gotten to try some new products this month that I'm loving.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist

I already mentioned last month that I'm loving beach sprays. I got this one in my PopSugar Summer Box, and it smells SO good. Other than that, I think it does really nice things to my hair - soft, tousley, perfect-for-summer hair!

Elf Brush Cleaner

I bought this accidentally thinking it was the Makeup Mist and Set, but I actually really enjoy it. I'm terrible about cleaning my brushes, and this gives me a fast, easy way to keep them (relatively) bacteria free. Plus it smells good and so do my brushes after I use it!

Beauty Blender

I got my first Beauty Blender, and I'm totally in love with it. The only thing is that within three weeks it started to mold! I think it's just the way I was storing it to dry, but I've got to be extra careful with my next one.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

I felt like I needed to switch up my mascara, and I'm definitely glad I choose this one. The formula is perfect for me - not too wet, not too dry - and I'm finding that I really like the synthetic wands.

Citrus Sambra Limited Edition SoftSoap

After being very disappointed by the Summer Edition SoftSoaps last year, I'm really glad I like this one. I love anything citrus, and this reminds me a lot of the The Body Shop Satsuma shower gel I was using, just more moisturizing and lather-y, which I like.


So that's it! Everything I've been loving this month. I have to confess, I may not be able to blog very much soon. I have to tighten my budget quite a lot to save up for some important things, and that won't leave very much for new beauty products. It may just mean more reviews and a closer look at my products instead of new things, but we'll have to see!

July Ipsy Bag

Hi guys!

My July Ipsy Bag is here! Let’s see what I got!

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink

Balm? Yes. Tinted? Not really. If the color doesn’t show up on my paler-than-pale hands, there’s no way it’s doing anything to my lips. A major disappointment and not something I’ll use, especially because it smells minty.

Pur-Lisse Essential Daily Moisturizer

I’m so unadventurous with moisturizers. I’ve been using the Daily Grace Bar from Lush since I got it back in March, and I don’t want to go anywhere else. I’ll either throw this in my swap bin or save it for some day when I’m in need of a moisturizer and have no other choice.

Clear Clinic Vanished Clear Spot Treatment

I’m actually really intrigued by this product. It has a doe-foot applicator, which is not something I’ve seen before in a spot treatment. My current dermatology treatment has been working pretty well, but every so often it would be nice to have a little help. It’s a small sample, but I actually think, with the way my skin has been behaving lately, it’ll last me a long time.

Models Own Nail Polish in Red Sea

Of course I’m really excited about this. Sparkly and red. My only regret is that I didn’t have it in time for the Fourth of July.

Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Barely Nude

Even though I love my Julep Cream Eyeshadow as a base, I’m interested in this. I wish I had gotten literally any other of the 10 colors that exist, but that’s okay.  It’s a pretty nude color with just the tiniest bit of shimmer, and it’ll most likely work excellently on the days that I want coverage but not a lot of makeup.

So that’s my July Ipsy Bag! I’m kind of half and half on it. It’s definitely an improvement over my past couple of bags. I hope the trend continues on this path!

July Julep Box

Hi guys!

Today I have my newest Julep Box to show you. This one I got for free because I had racked up enough Jules. I decided to switch up my normal Boho Glam box and go with the Bombshell box instead.

In my box I received:

Bare Body Milk

Lissa

Beverly

I’m most excited about Lissa. I’ve been lusting after Sally Hansen’s Triple Shine Dive In color, but I’ve been holding myself back from buying it because of this color. I hope it lives up to the hype and beauty of the Sally Hansen one.

I really like Beverly as well, though. I think it’s just the most beautiful shade and unlike anything I have in my collection so far.

I’ve already used the Body Milk, and I’m really impressed with it. It’s perfect for summer – really moisturizing, but light and it smells so fresh. I used it right after shaving with a new product, and I’m definitely into this combination.

This will probably be my last Julep box for a while. I have some things I’m saving up for in the future, and everyone knows I have more than enough nail polish. I have enough new, unused polish stock piled that I’ll still be wearing new polish for a while. I’m looking forward to visiting some favorites after that, though.

Nail of the Week 7/7 & 7/14

Hi guys!

Two more polishes for you this week!

Last week I was wearing Julep's Jeanne. I really liked this sky blue but brighter color a lot. And, thanks to my newfound base coat/top coat routine, it lasted for a really long time!

This week I was wearing Sinful Color's Anemone which I got free from PinchMe. I wasn't a huge fan of this color. I've kind of worn myself out of corally oranges. I also did a terrible job painting my nails this week because of back pain that started Saturday. 

Sorry for the weird color differences in pictures. The second was taken in natural light, and the first was not. Sometimes I'm really bad at forgetting to take pictures of my polishes!

PopSugar Special Edition Summer Box

Hi guys!

Today (very late) I have my 2014 PopSugar Special Edition Summer Box to share with you. Someone very special to me gifted this box to me for my birthday (which is in August) and I'm kind of in love with it.

This is what it contained:

Sisters of Los Angeles City Rocks Glasses

London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Colorful and the perfect size. I can't wait to move into my own place so I can use these!

Blue Tropics Pouch

A great size for traveling or a beach trip. The reverse size says "Live Love Aloha" which I love. 

Sachajuan Ocean Mist

My newfound obsession with beach sprays is really happy about this. It'll be the next one to go into my rotation, and I can't wait!

Soixante Neuf Jewels by Joie Jager Horn Necklace

I love turquoise, so the color of this really drew me in. I'm not usually a fan of gold jewelry, but this is so pretty and unique that I don't much care. It's long which I'm not used to wearing, but I think it's a great statement piece.

Tarte Cheek Stain and Lipsurgence Power Pigment in Tipsy

The cheek stain is the product I've been using the most. I love the color and the staying power. It's really buildable and easy to apply. The only downfall is that it takes a little while to stop being tacky, but it's something I can deal with because I love the color so much. 

The Ingredient Finder Eliunt Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I probably won't use this for a while, but fancy olive oil is always a good thing. Maybe I'll christen my first meal in my first apartment with it!

So that's everything. I loved this box, and I'm so appreciative of the wonderful person who got it for me. Happy (early) birthday to me!

June 2014 Ipsy Bag

Hi guys!

I'm almost caught up on my subscriptions now. Today (just a little late) I have my June Ipsy Bag for you. This month's bag theme was Pretty in Paradise and Rebecca Minkoff designed the bag! Look at how pretty it is!

In my bag, I got:

Be a Bombshell Lash Out Mascara

This mascara had a bit of a controversy surrounding it because many people complained about it's smell (mine smells bad, but it's not unusable and it does go away). It has a decent effect on lashes, but it smudged on me pretty badly, so I haven't used it that much.

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray

As I mentioned in my favorites post, I'm loving beach sprays right now. I'm not a huge fan of the pump on this one, but I certainly can't complain about it.

Nyx Butter Gloss in Eclair

I haven't used this yet, but I've been thinking about trying the Nyx Butter Glosses for a while now. I don't use lip products very often, but when I have occasion to wear this, I'm very much looking forward to it.

Jesse's Girl Waterproof Eyeliner

 I don't use liquid eyeliner (especially not in black) so this product is a bust. On to the swap board it goes!

Ole Henriksen Truth to Go Wipes

These smell exactly like the Truth to Go serum that came in a previous bag (that I traded for) which is a light citrus-y cream scent. It's not my favorite, but I don't hate it. I do like how wet these are, and they do an excellent job of removing makeup.

So that's everything! Did you guys get the June bag? Are you totally excited or wishing for something else?

Nail of the Week 6/23 & 6/30

Hi guys!

Happy July 4th! I'm working today, so no exciting plans for me, though I may watch fireworks later if it doesn't rain.

Anyway, I finally got back to painting my nails after a lot of time off. I missed all my colors and my weekly ritual, so I'm glad to have it back!

Last week I was wearing Sally Hansen's XTreme Wear Marine Scene. I liked the frosted finish more than I thought I would.

This week I'm wearing Julep's Paulette which I got in my May Maven Box. I'm loving this orchid-y color so much this year. 

Both of these lasted FANTASTICALLY. Seriously. The Paulette picture was taken on Thursday after painting my nails on Sunday. Nail polish never lasts like that on me. I don't know if it's my new base coat, my new top coat, or a combination of both, but I'm loving it. Definitely a new favorite.

June Favorites

Hi guys!

Today I have my June favorites to show you. I have actually been using a surprising number of new products this past month, most of which I love! So, without further ado:

Covergirl Foundation

After seeing everyone and their mother talk about this on Youtube and feeling like I needed to bump up my foundation coverage with my skin issues happening, I finally picked this up, and I was not disappointed. It builds beautifully, looks natural, and is really easy to blend and apply. It never feels cakey or thick, and I really can't say enough good things about it.

Maybelline Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer

Another "Youtube made me buy it" product that I'm totally loving. I was very upset over Covergirl discontinuing my favorite undereye concealer, but this one is so much better, I'm surprised I didn't switch earlier. Great coverage and brightening and super easy to apply.

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Brow Gel

And yet a third Youtube-suggested product. Once you start with a brow gel, I feel like you can't ever go back. I finally got my eyebrows done at a Benefit Brow Bar so not only are they perfectly shaped, they stay that way!

Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy

This was a new product I got in the PopSugar Special Edition Summer Box (that post is coming, I swear), and I'm really liking it. I have tended to shy away from cheek stains in the past because putting something liquid-y on my already oily face never seemed like a smart plan. However this stuff really does stay where it's put, and I love having that color on my cheeks all day long!

Mask of Magnaminty

I bought this at the suggestion of my best friend, and I was not disappointed. Though most masks you use on dry skin, the LUSH employee told me she puts it on at the beginning of her shower and then rinses it off after she's washed her hair, shaved, etc. So I've been using it that way every day, and I really like it. I don't like mint, but it just ends up being very refreshing. Plus, how can you hate on fresh ingredients?

Healthy Sexy Hair Beach Spray (and beach sprays in general)

Now that it's summer, I put mousse in my hair after I shower at night, and when I wake up, I dampen it again and use a beach spray. I love how lightweight and effortless it makes my hair and hair styling process. I recently ran out of this one, but I have other brands that I'll be using in the meantime. I definitely want to come back to this one though.

So those are all my June favorites! What have you guys been loving now that the weather's getting warmer?