FAVORITES! | August 2013

 
Since it's been awhile since I've posted a monthly faves, I thought I'd giddy up since we're nearly through with August!  Where is the time going?!  The summer is almost kaput!  

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask:  This is one of the best drugstore finds!  If you have oily skin like me and want something that will deep cleanse your pores, this mask is a champ!  I've had some really crazy breakouts lately stemming from a bad decision I made to apply an oil to my face.  Unfortunately, I'd forgotten that I'd already tried this about a year or two ago and the oil had made my face explode in a bevy of pimpled madness!  I didn't remember my previous experience until the first 5 (of 11!!!) break outs came flying to the surface of my skin.  Oy!  This mask has been wonderful for drying out the 11 monsters-of-rock blemishes and ensuring no new ones creep up.  This mask is a really fun turquoise blue color on the skin, and I'm all about an added hit of fun!

MAC Select Cover-Up in NW25: Continuing my earlier mentions about my current blemish sitch, this concealer has been THE BOMB!  I had to get something thick enough to cover the plethora of problems I had going on that would stay put.  This stuff is fantastic!  I've been applying it with a concealer brush and setting it with my go-to daily bud MSFN, and at the end of the (long hot summer) day, my blemishes are still covered and the concealer hasn't cracked, slid, or oxidized.  If you have any redness, marks, scars, or blemishes that you want to keep under wraps without it looking like you've piled on the concealer, this stuff could be a big help to you!  I'd compare the coverage to that of Benefit's Erase Paste, but this is in a handy squeeze tube and is a little creamier.  Full review soon!

No Lift Nails Avocado "E" Cuticle Oil: After mooning over the nails/cuticles of Amber from Beauty Junkies Unite, I followed her advice and starting using cuticle oil every night.  I dispense a single drop onto each of my cuticles and massage it in following my nightly hand cream.  I have really noticed a huge difference in my cuticles!  They aren't dry and raggedy any more!  I have never found a cuticle conditioner that I was that crazy about before, but I love this cuticle oil!  I found mine at Sally Beauty Supply for about $5 bucks.  It only contains three ingredients: avocado oil, almond oil, and vitamin E.  The squeeze bottle allows just the right amount to be dispensed every time, and because it contains almond oil, it smells like sweet, delicious amaretto!

LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub: Best. Lip scrub. Evah!  It tastes like cotton candy or those bright orange circus peanuts candy (it smells exactly like the Snow Fairy Body Wash and Creamy Candy Bubble Bar, if you're familiar with either of those Lush products).  It removes dead skins cells and leaves your lips feeling silky smooth and dreamy.  I could eat with a spoon.  If this flavor isn't your jam, they have a few other flavor options that may tickle your fancy.  This is one of my all-time favorite products and something I've repurchased four times.  

Nivea Caramel Cream Kiss Lip Butter: One of my favorite balms ever, Nivea Lip Butters are very hydrating without being overly greasy.  I love the tins, too, because they fit so nicely in shallow desk drawers or small purses.  When I get done exfoliating at night, I slather this on before bed and wake up with happy, moisturized lips!  The Caramel Cream Kiss has been my favorite flavor (of the 4 available) the past few months because it smells like a heavenly dessert but doesn't have any taste, which is good because I would end up eating it right off my lips.

MAC Tan Pigment: "I can't stop...and I won't stop...can't you see it's we who own the night...can't you see it's we who 'bout that life?"  Sorry, I was originally going to type "I can't stop using this!" but then the Miley Cyrus started up and I, literally, couldn't stop!  This pigment is awesome!  I think it's the most flattering, prettiest shade ever and that would look beautiful on the fairest to the deepest skin tones.  It's SO easy, too!  I sweep on a little highlight shadow (UD Virgin, UD Bootycall, or MAC Phloof!) on the brow bone, sweep on the Tan pigment, and blend it through the crease with a fluffy blending brush.  Voila - DONE!  It's such a simple process but because Tan is so multi-faceted, it looks like you really put a lot of effort into your eye makeup!  [Full review here.]

What's your favorite easy eye look?  What's your all-time #1 lip balm?