July Favorites: Beauty.
Hello hello!
Can you even believe we are almost into August?! CRAZY!
Last week, I did a major clean out of our linen closet in our master bath which I probably hadn’t done since before Max was born. GAH! I don’t keep makeup in there, but I didn’t toss a lot of empty or expired things and am using up the things I really love. I’m almost finished with my Sunday Riley Tidal (this is probably my 3rd jar!) and may try the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Cream – have you tried it?
I had one major fail this month and that was the Amore Pacific Sunscreen Mist. OMG. This was a nightmare. I used this on my face (with my eyes closed of course!) and first, it never dried down at all, even after attempting to rub it in. Second, it ran into my eyes ALL DAY LONG. It was so awful. So disappointing because I love this brand. I didn’t return it though, because I have been using it on my neck and chest when we are outside. Just don’t put that stuff on your face! EEEEK.
Anyhoo, on to my loves for the month!
Weleda Skin Food. Okay so I have mentioned Skin Food before, because it’s something I’ve used for years and in the winter, often put it on my entire body. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you what I’ve been doing with it this month… putting it on my FACE! Guys, my skin had a major dry skin freak out. Holy crap. I think it was a combo of pregnancy hormones, sunscreen, sweating from exercise and being in the sun, plus extra face cleansing that comes with that, etc. NOTHING was helping my skin. The FAB Ultra Repair which I swear by would soak in within seconds.
I mean, I guess I’m thankful that I’m not breaking out, but applying any makeup over dry skin is horrible! It’s basically impossible and felt like my face was flaking off. So, Skin Food to the rescue. It’s practically an oil/ointment type of cream and I’ve been slathering it on my face at night. It has worked! My skin is now back to normal. It also didn’t break me out, but keep in my that my skin is ridiculously dry. I just buy this at Target or on Amazon.
Unite Liquid Dust. Ooooh I’m really in love with this. A few months ago, I told you how my hair stylist used volumizing powder to sprinkle in my hair before curling. It was amazing! It totally works, but it can also be a sticky mess and if you use one particle too much, you can barely brush your hair. He used this on me at the beginning of the month and I fell in love. I’ve actually been spraying a tiny bit on my hair when it’s wet and letting it air dry. But you can also spray it on when it’s dry. It’s exactly what I wish I could do with the volumizing powder.
Plus, I really love the Unite brand. I’ve used the 7 seconds conditioner for years as well as the blow and set gel too.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc. So this is a scent/product I have wanted since last summer, but every time I tried to grab it during a sale, it was sold out. And it is so pricey that I never wanted to pay full price. But… I am in LOVE with this. And I don’t purchase a lot of this crazzzy high end beauty. First, just like last month I am still into that summer sparkle. I think I’m subconsciously doing it since I know that in a few months, I’ll have a newborn and be nursing and I don’t like to wear any irritating fragrance or makeup or glitter and get it all over them, you know? Ha. This smells so wonderfully summery. I’ve been putting it on when we are out and about, out for the evening or going to swim, just as something a little shimmery. It is heaven. I feel like it’s the summer counterpart to the Noir Pour Femme I love to wear in the fall and winter.
Jouer Skinny Dip Highlighter. This is a repeat but it’s SO necessary to mention again. I’ve been using this highlighter 98% of the time this summer and I get asked about it every single time it’s on my face. This shade is just so pretty. I mentioned before that it will probably be too dark for me come winter, so I’m living it up now. It works as an eye shadow too!
Anastasia Sun Dipped Glow Palette. This is one of the palettes I mentioned last month that I bought at my impulse evening at Sephora. I hadn’t used it enough in June to say if I really loved it, but after using it all this month, oh I am in LOVE. It’s another one of those multiple-use palettes as I can use most of these shades as eye shadow too. I use the bronze shade as bronzer and it is a little shimmery, so beware of that. Definitely not matte. But I am loving it right now for summer!
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I grabbed this at the end of June and it’s been on my lips every single night. It is SO moisturizing. You know I’m a sucker for any and all sleeping masks since my skin is a desert. I’ve used it so much that I’ve barely touched my favorite sugar advanced lip therapy in the evenings. This stays put. It smells incredible. I love that it has a little wand to apply, but I do with it had a place to hold that wand!
Hmmm as for other things, I did end up buying the value set of SK-II at the Nordstrom anniversary sale because I have wanted to try the essence for ever. People say it’s so life changing! I don’t mind paying a lot for skincare (I’d rather pay for skincare than makeup!) and I am liking it so far, but the smell is kind of horrifying to me. That might be the whole pregnancy sense though. I’ll let you know for sure next month! I am still absolutely LOVING the Tarte and Jouer palettes I mentioned last month too.
Other than that, I’m anxiously awaiting some fall lipstick shades. Oooooooh. What are you loving this month?!
{as usual, none of this is sponsored and all of these products were purchased by me. i am not affiliated with any of the companies above, nor do i accept free products. just love to talk about what i like, makeup junkie to makeup junkie. there are some amazon and general reward style affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}
30 Comments on “July Favorites: Beauty.”
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FYI, if you have a Costco membership, they sell the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for $189 for 11oz!
OMG reeeeeally?! costco is close to an hour away from me but that might make a membership totally worth it!
I think they only have it online – which is even better, IMO! I can’t wait to hear if you like it. I see mixed reviews. The beauty (pun intended) of buying through Costco is that you can return it if you don’t like it :)
The lala retro cream is awesome!! I have dry as a desert skin too so it soaks in quickly but I still feel like it does the job.
good to know! thanks kathryn!
I have to tell you – I wound up picking up the Trish McEvoy Blackberry & Vanilla Musk scent along with some Glam Glow lovelies and the Jouer glosses. Definitely some great finds. I also have to commend you on the Kenra recommendation from some beauty spotlights eons ago. I have been looking for something that works as good as my now defunct Jonathan Product and the Kenra brand is amazing. Some great choices here Jessica!
i love that blackberry vanilla musk!!
so glad you are liking some of my other faves. :)
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So I can finally give you a little tiny tip in exchange for all your fabulous recipes! Just put a (thickish) hair elastic around the jar and slip the little wand between the hair elastic and the jar perpendicularly. The wand stands right up and is basically attached to the jar!
Oh wow! That’s a great idea!!
oh my gosh this is amazing and why didn’t i think of it? THANK YOU!!!
Please let me make clear that I’m only passing along the tip–I’m not that smart myself!!! 😉
The Drunk Elephant Lala Cream is amazing. My skin is pretty dry, and this is perfect. Its pretty thick, but I add a pump of marula oil (I use Acure) and it makes it such a lovely consistency for my skin. I use this at night, and something lighter during the day. I certainly could use this in the am, but my skin doesn’t need it. Have you tried anything from The Ordinary yet? The price point is amazing, the packaging is perfect, and so far i’ve loved everything. Especially their AHA/BHA peel. Very similar to the Drunk Elephant baby facial. Also, love love love Glossier. Boy brow is amazing. The cloud paint is so sheer and natural but still buildable. The birthday balm smells like my childhood. All worth checking out!
What shade is the Jouer highlighter? It looks gorgeous
skinny dip!
I don’t know your general scent preferences but I found two new perfumes that I’m dying over and they’re very different from each other:
Philosophy Amazing Grace and Pink Sugar. Amazing Grace smells like pure soapy goodness to me and I basically always want to smell like I’ve just gotten out of the shower. Pink Sugar is ultra sweet and smells like cotton candy but seems to mellow during the day and smell sweet but fresh.
In love. Oh! I’ve also gotten into the weird habit of spritzing body spray on me after I’ve showered at night before bed and it feels so luxurious. I recommend it.
I just got the Becca pressed highlighter and it is SOO good! And I’ve tried a lot of highlighters! :)
Hi, Jessica. Quick note that I think it’s so great that you buy all of your own products and review them, unbiased. I really appreciate that, and that you let it be known.
Thanks for sharing your passion and enthusiasm with integrity.
Sarah
K-beauty all the way. Using MISSHA Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence that is a dupe for the SK-II essence at a fraction of the cost, in conjunction with other serums and toners. My skin is glowing! Love your blog. ❤️
I have followed your blog forever and am obsessed with your food posts, but really look forward to these too now! So glad you take the time to write about your favorite products, weekend adventures, kiddo(s), and life. :)
My skin tends to be dry and flaky, and my nose seems to be chronically dry no matter WHAT I do! Recently I found Dr. Jart Ceramidin Liquid and LOVE it! I was using it twice a day but have moved to mostly using it only at night because my skin is actually staying hydrated, which is a big deal for me. It is liquidy, more like a serum, and I use it underneath my normal moisturizer. Give it a try if you’re desperate for some extra hydration!
Also, if you haven’t tried it yet – get your hands on some Unite Lazer Straight, if only for the scent and not even because you want straight hair. It smells like vanilla frosting and seriously, I want to eat it! Loooove Unite.
Lastly, my favorite “highlighter” the past ~1 year has been the Bare Minerals “clear radiance” or “pure radiance” depending on the season. It is loose powder, but the container has only 3 little holes (which you can close!), so I just tap a little into the lid and then dip my brush into that and there is no mess. It stays on all day (especially when my skin is actually hydrated with my liquid ceramidin!) and adds a really pretty shimmer/bronze.
I have that Anastasia kit too, and I do like their highlighters a lot. I want to get ‘So Hollywood’. I need to try that Laniege lip mask. I keep hearing all about it, and I tried a Laniege moisturizer in the past, and really, really liked it.
My face gets crazy dry too, and I use an Alba hydrating coconut sheet mask, it genuinely helps. I get them at Target, of course. :)
i am having a blah month beauty wise. i just moved so im just wearing the same stuff everyday. but u know what s fun…unpacking beauty things that you have had packed for a while and feeling like you got new stuff ! but anyway. here is something i am NOT loving Good Genes. i am pretty sure its causing milia like all over my face ? ugh why ? and why after i just bought a new one for $100 ? i have been doing simple eye looks with too faced boudoir palette or bobbi brown eye crayon and mascara. and today im wearing a bold red lip and i love it. but i do feel like i get some looks at work from people. for those of you in a professional office do you think its ok to wear a bold red lip ? rest of the face is totally neutral. also i use the lala cream and like it but IMO if the FAB cream isnt enough i would guess lala might not be either. maybe mixed with an oil ? have you considered possibly you might have mild eczema ? i had some weirdo dry patches a few years ago on my back and on side of my face and turns out they were a very mild form of eczema. prescription cream cleared them right up. when i get dry nose in the winter i still use that cream on it and it always works. just a thought
Had to jump in and leave major props for Lala! I combine it with DE’s hydrating serum and it’s the most amazing burst of hydration. I’ll mix in a little marula oil when I’m feeling extra dry and it’s straight magic.
i was going to ask about the hydrating serum! so it’s really worth it? the reviews were so-so, and i’ve held off!
To say that I’m anything less than OBSESSED with their B Hydra would be gravely irresponsible of me. I love the entire DE line but sometimes I’m lazy and don’t feel like going through all the steps. I will never skip the B Hydra though – it seriously is like a tall drink of water for my skin. The feeling when it goes on my face is so refreshing and cooling and weirdly comforting. Definitely a holy grail for me – especially when combined with the Lala!
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I tried the SK-II facial treatment essence and thought it was worth every dollar. I know it’s very expensive, but it actually made a significant difference in the texture of my skin. I love DE, their Vitamin C and TLC Glycolic night treatment are my top favorites. I also used the B-Hydra, but didn’t fall in love with it the way I did their other products. I really enjoyed this post. I too have very dry lips and so far, out of the hundreds I’ve tried, the Bite Beauty Agave Mask has been the only thing that has worked, but I want to give this Laniege one a try now. By the way, I just found your blog and I’m loving it. I came here via the Ricotta Ice Cream recipe.
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