As you might have noticed by the gaping holes in my post archive – I’ve not been on the blog much in the past couple months. As a result, instead of giving you two individual monthly favorite posts for August and September, you’re getting a special edition, a two for the price of one August/September faves list. You are welcome.
Cosmetics
Stila Convertible Color in Petunia – these lip/cheek babies are cult favorites for a reason. The formula is incredibly pigmented, creamy, actually works on both the cheeks and the lips, and comes in ten absolutely gorgeous shades. I have two: Lilium (a neutral brown-toned rose) and Petunia (a super bright coral pink). I use Illium for days when I want a more natural, bronzer-focused cheek look and Petunia for the most beautiful, healthy flush. The color is very buildable but is so pigmented you need only the tiniest amount to begin with. I apply these with a MAC 130 but any flat-topped synthetic brush would work or even your fingers! The packaging is also a win, super pretty, super slim, and colored to match the product inside so there’s no guesswork. $25/.15oz – this is a little pricey but I’ve used Petunia at least three times a week for months and made barely a dent!
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla – Full review to come! But I will say this my current favorite under-eye concealer – super creamy and subtly radiant. $28/.22oz.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze – I know everyone and their mother is in love with these and I’m no exception. These drugstore treasures are super pigmented, super long-lasting, and come in a ton of shades that run the gamut from super wearable to super bold. They work both as a cream shadow and an eyeshadow base. This particular shade, Bad To The Bronze is a gorgeous warm metallic bronze that can be worn in a sheer layer for a day look or layered up for an evening smokey eye that’s a great alternative for girls who struggle to pull off black eyeshadow. An amazing shade for blue eyes! $6.99/.14oz at CVS.
Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear – this is an excellent, clear brow gel that holds hair in place pretty much all day (unless they’re truly feeling mutinous). The brush is fuller than the average brow gel brush which allows you to really comb through and separate the hairs for the most natural look. It also comes in snazzy silver packaging so you’re not forced to watch the gross evolution of your gel from clear to the murky flesh color that always appears after a few weeks of use. $22/.28oz.
Skin Care
Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial – full review here. $48/1.35oz.
Sephora Collection Age Defy Eye Cream – I first got this as a freebie sample and was intrigued, I’d never tried any Sephora brand skin care before. To be honest, I didn’t even know they made any. Well I was impressed! The formula is super creamy and moisturizing and feels lovely as part of my nighttime skin routine. The packaging comes equipped with a pump which is a rarity for eye creams and keeps things nice and hygienic. $25/.5oz.
Nails
“Read My Palm” by Sephora OPI – I’d be lying if I said I didn’t buy this color because it matched one of my favorite cardigans. It’s a gorgeous bright sage green color that manages to walk the line between colorful and classy. What impressed me most, however, was the formula. I’ve never had a polish last so long on my nails! I’m an absolute convert. I paired this with OPI shatter polish in Gold Shatter and got compliments on my nails from what seemed like everyone. I couldn’t find the exact color online for some reason but I still see it in the stores. Well worth checking out! $9.50/.5oz regular price, currently on sale for $4.50!
Seche Vite Top Coat – while this seems to be the king of topcoats in the UK, I’d never really heard much about it in the US. With the ongoing influx of European beauty standards flooding our shops and drugstores, however, I knew I’d find it eventually. And I did – tucked innocently away in my local CVS one morning (I believe Ulta carries it too). I snatched it up and whisked it home to see whether or not it lived up to the hype. It so did, people. It’s a lovely thick, shiny topcoat that dries almost instantly. What more could you possibly ask for? $9.49/.5oz.
Fragrance
Versace Bright Crystal – since describing fragrances is ridiculously hard, I’ll let Sephora do it for me:
Inspired by a mixture of Donatella Versace’s favorite floral fragrances, Bright Crystal is a fresh, sensual blend of refreshing chilled yuzu and pomegranate mingled with soothing blossoms of peony, magnolia, and lotus flower, warmed with notes of musk and amber.
I really love this fragrance. In fact, when I was picking out my new “signature” scent before I started college, (I was a weird teenager) I ended up torn between this and Miss Dior Cherie (now called Miss Dior). Miss Dior won but Bright Crystal stayed in the back of my mind and so I jumped for it when I saw the rollerball size. I love how feminine this perfume is. It’s a perfect balance of floral and fresh and makes me feel simultaneously girly and sophisticated. I also really love this layered with Chloe Eau de Parfum. $20/.3oz (rollerball size).
Books
Goodreads.com – when I don’t have my nose buried in beauty blogs then it’s most likely buried in a book. I’ve been absolutely addicted to reading since before I can remember. When my brother and sister and I would misbehave we’d have our books taken away instead of TV or videogames. As anyone who has ever lost a book halfway through reading it knows, this should be illegal. It’s just cruel. Anyway, In the last several months I’ve gotten really into a site called Goodreads.com. Its a site for bookworms everywhere to rate books, read reviews, talk to each other, mark books to read, and follow their favorite authors. I got really into this site after getting a kindle last christmas. As much as I love the convenience of an eReader, it falls totally short when it comes to browsing for a new read. Goodreads allows me to see what my favorite authors are loving, what friends (with accounts) are reading, and creates personal recommendations based on what I’ve already rated. I’ve found some unbelievable reads on here and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new book!
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed – I’ve had friends describe this book as their bible, that’s how amazing it is. I’ve never been one for self help books or advice columns or that type of thing but I will undoubtedly page through this book until it falls apart in my hands. Tiny Beautiful Things is a collection of letters and responses from a formerly anonymous advice column called Dear Sugar. These letters are in turns hilarious, heartbreaking, shocking, profound, life changing, and thought provoking. I’ve given this book to so many women in my life and will continue to do so as long as I can find people who don’t own a copy (it also works for boys!). Cheryl Strayed is simultaneously a beautifully gifted writer and a perceptive, sympathetic, kickass, mindblowing advice giver. She shares as much of hersef in her answers as her writers have shared of themselves in their letters. Still doubtful? Stop by a bookstore and read just one letter and you’ll see what I mean. $8-$15/353 pages depending book format.
Random Bits & Pieces
Allen Stone – this self described “hippie with soul” has the smokiest, smoothest voice I’ve heard in ages and his album “Allen Stone” is a win from start to finish. Anyone who has a soft spot for soul music and brilliant lyrics should check this dude out. Two of my favorites are “Unaware” and “Celebrate Tonight.”
Bath & Body Works candles – anyone who loves candles loves Bath & Body Works. They’re just so darn good. Their three wick candles especially (which always seem to be on sale) are incredible and fill an entire room with fragrance. My current favorite is Cider Donut which is RIDICULOUS. I honestly drool a tiny bit when I go to light it. You get the sweetness of the sugar and cinnamon but the undercurrent of apple keeps it from getting too sickly on you. There hasn’t been a single person who hasn’t commented on how awesome my rooms smells if they walk in while I’m burning it. Also worth mentioning are what my cousin and I call their “sexy man candles.” This might sound a bit strange but once you’ve smelled one you’ll understand. Sexy man scents include but are not limited to: Mahogany Teakwood, Sandalwood Citrus, and Black Pepper Bergamot. Perfect for anyone wanting to pretend a sexy man just left their…um…kitchen. My favorite is the sandalwood citrus. It’s like an Abercrombie model in a little candle.
On that vaguely creepy note, I end my August/September favorites. Hope you enjoyed them! Anyone else loving similar things this month?
Image Credits: Sephora.com, Amazon.com
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