Sunday, July 6, 2014

FAVORITE! | June 2014 ❤



Summers here in Atlanta, GA are hot and incredibly humid.  I don't even know what a dry heat is?  What the hell IS that?  I want to sample it!  That being said, last month I focused on bronzed skin, healthy hair, and relaxed feet, with just a wee bit of makeup.  These were my go-tos!

Garnier Fructis Damage Erase Strength Reconstructing Butter, $5.99 USD.  AMAZEBALLS!!!  As most of you know, I went from brown to blonde to brown in the space of 3 weeks (if you didn't see it, the full story is at the bottom of this post).  Needless to say, my hair wasn't feeling like bunnies and angel wings post-bleaching insanity.  I needed to call in the big guns of moisturization, and this beaut fit the bill.  You simply apply this thick conditioner to your hair from root to tip after shampooing and leave it on as you go about your other shower business.  Rinse it out after 3-5 minutes and voila - shiny, slippery mermaid hair!  I have fine, oily hair (less so now after my hair coloring adventures) and this conditions my hair perfectly without leaving it lifeless or greasy.  The clean scent reminds me of Finesse.  If you have dry or damaged hair, you need to try this!

Garnier Summer Body Moisturizing Lotion Deep Sun-Kissed Look, $10.00 USD.  I am normally not a huge fan of gradual self-tanners, but for some reason, I just had a good feeling about this one.  I heard about it from Sam Schuerman and, while it's a UK exclusive product, I was able to find it for sale at Amazon.com.  I bought it from a seller called The Blush Beauty Box and they were a dream to work with; the item arrived quickly and was packaged with care.  Back to the lotion!  It delivers believable bronzed skin in 2 applications and from there, you can maintain your color by applying it every 2-3 days.  I normally feel like gradual tanners take EONS of time before they're even noticeable, so I LOVED that this one worked right away and didn't leave any weird tanner scent.  It's a great hydrator, to boot!  

Southern Hospitality Sweet Tea Foot Soak, $5.00 USD.  I'll admit that previously, I wasn't huge on foot care.  However, after one soaking sesh with a Sweet Tea Foot Soak, I had an epiphany!  Your feet do SO much for you, why not do something nice for them every once in awhile?  They're called "Sweet Tea" soaks because they're packaged like a giant tea bag.  There's something ultra relaxing about soaking your feet, and they come out of the tub extra soft and clean.  I swear I sleep better after a quick 20 minute foot soakeroo.  So far, I've tried four of the twelve scents and I've yet to meet one I didn't love.  I plan to try Sweet Almond next!  Even if you're thinking, "Meh, feet.  Who cares?!", I swear you'll change your mind after trying it just once.  Even my husband loves soaking his feet now!  Full Southern Hospitality review {here}.

Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream, $14.99 USD.  I'm not going to get too crazy with the proverbial Cheez Wiz and spend an hour talking about this but only because I plan to dedicate a full review to this beauty!  To briefly rave, my friend Katie who lives in Florida told me about it.  Her high points were that it had great coverage, didn't get oily/slippy in the humidity, and it was easy to "slap on" and get out the door.  She was right on all counts!  The coverage is incredible - medium to full without feeling like anything on the skin - and it stays put.  I can't say enough good things about this!  Stay tuned for the full review.    

Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Volum Express Mascara, $5.99 USD MSRP.  I have tiny eyes.  Large mascara brushes are constantly crashing into my lids like the surf against the sand.  Hence, I typically avoid jumbo wands, or anything labelled "VOLUME CRAY CRAY PANTHER EYEZ" and other such descriptors.  However, I do lurve me some Maybelline mascaras, so I took a chance.  The wand isn't mega, but it's not small either.  It's shaped like a lava lamp.  If I'm dating myself here, think of an elongated pine cone with a spindly point.  The fine point is perfect for working the corners (like a hockey player, eh?!) and I have never hit my lid with the brush.  Win!  LOTS of volume, too.  I literally love this mascara.

So what do you do once your skin is bronzed, your feet are soaked, your hair is sublimely conditioned, your face is perfected, and your lashes are voluminously vivacious?  You light a candle from Bath & Body Works and call it a day!  I have so many favorites from this line, including Gelato, Coconut Leaves, and my summer staple this year, Sunset Beach.  I have a Gelato one that I've never lit sitting on my bedside table and I can smell it whenever I'm in that room.  I just love these candles and find them to be an excellent value.  Plus, you can reuse the jars after you burn them to make amazing storage solutions for makeup brushes, cotton balls, small perfumes, pens, etc.!  The 3 wick candles are generally $20.00 USD but I've never paid full price for one because they have 50% off sales all the time.  Also, if you're not ready to commit to a 3-wick, wait for a 3 for $10 sale on the minis and test drive whichever ones tickle your fancy.  

What products were you reaching for the most last month?  How do you like to unwind in the summertime?

25 comments :

  1. I totally need a foot soak. I've neglected my feet for far too long and hate looking at them. But other than right before bed (to avoid slipping or things-sticking-to-them), when's a girl supposed to put buttery stuff on her feet to make 'em soft and pretty?

    Last month I especially loved Becca Mineral Powder Foundation. I can't get over the gorgeous finish. I've also really been into NARS Bangkok and Bite Fig lipsticks. If May was for the bold, June was for the soft pinks.

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  2. That CC Cream sounds like all kinds of AWESOMES. I want to hear about it!

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  3. I just recently started using that deep conditioner and I love it as well! Very nice for a drugstore brand! I'm very intrigued by the self-tanner! I wish it was available in the US so I wouldn't have to buy it off of amazon! Hah!

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  4. Haha oh that's cute! A candle that is supposed to smell like sun tan :)

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  5. i haven't tried that mascara!

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  6. I can't wait to read your full review of the CC cream! Not that I need another one but.... judging from the price... it can't hurt to try, right? Right? ;D

    And I still need to order that Foot Soak!!

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  7. You are adorable, Alison! "June was for the soft pinks"! Bite Fig sounds like it would be right up my alley! And yes, right before bed is the time for foot rejuvenation! Just soaking them will relax you so much. I was so surprised! I guess that's why the ol' foot soaking has been a thing for so many decades!

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  8. It totally IS! ALL KINDS! It is the next thing on my to-do list b/c it's become such a favorite of mine and I've yet to review it formally!

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  9. LOL! I know what you mean, Macy! I wish the Garnier tanner was in drugstores, but at least the price wasn't out of control on Amazon, shipping included. And the tan it's given me has been really impressive - deep and brown! Woohoo! And yes to the Garnier Balm! I love that little pot of gold. :)

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  10. Yes! I want to try the Damage Erasing shampoo, too! I will giddy up on the Lumene CC Cream review! It's so awesome!

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  11. LOL! It smells like summer at the pool!

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  12. :D Pretty much! It smells like sunscreen and pool days, if that makes any sense?!

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  13. Girl, you should! I think it's my favorite Maybelline mascara ever. and I LOVE Maybelline mascaras! I seriously think they are better than high end ones. Score!

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  14. I love your sentitments about the CC cream! LOL! Yes, it can't hurt...right?! Reviewing it formally is my next task; I can't wait to share it! And yes, get thee to the Southern Hospitality site! Foot soaks galore for you and your sweetie! :)

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  15. I keep hearing about the Maybelline mascara! I think I need to give it a try! The candle sounds like it smells divine! Mmmmm!
    xo

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  16. Just finished and posted my Lumene CC Cream review! :)

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  17. Just posted my review of the Lumene CC Cream!

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  18. I've heard good things about that mascara but maybelline mascaras never seem to work for me!

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  19. Oh no! I do usually find them quite "wet", but this one's dispenser cap seems to remove a good deal of product so it's easier to work with than past Volum Express Maybelline mascaras I've tried in the past. Happy Monday!

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  20. I have that Garnier mask and have yet to try it. I was a bit nervous about it leaving my hair greasy but it's great to hear that you didn't have problems with that!

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  21. Break it out, Jenn! It is wonderful stuff! My hair feels so incredibly soft but not weighed down or oily AT ALL. This stuff is a miraculous pot o' gold...er...orange! ;)

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