It’s time for monthly favorites! Clearly I missed a few months here (oops), so let’s get all caught up on everything I’ve been loving lately. I tend to stick to using the same products, so I don’t have a ton to talk about, but I promise all these things are real gems. So here we go!
Japonesque Makeup Brush Cleanser: Citrus Scent
Ever since Sephora jacked up the price and changed the formula of their old brush cleanser (which was my FAVORITE), I’ve been on the hunt for a new one. I tried a few, but I didn’t like any of them until I found this one. It smells great, and you don’t need to use a lot to get your brushes clean. The brushes dry pretty quickly, as well, which is an added bonus.
Pacifica Kale Luxe Oil Free Multi Cream
Another item I’m always on the lookout for is a good moisturizer. I have combo to oily skin, which just gets more oily in the summertime. I’m also trying to use more natural products when I can, so I was so excited when Ulta started carrying more Pacifica products. This moisturizer absorbs into the skin really quickly without leaving any oily residue. It doesn’t have an overwhelming scent at all, and I think it does help control my oil better than other moisturizers I’ve tried.
Redken 07 Fashion Waves Sea Salt Spray
I got this in the summer BeautyCon box, and I’m so glad I did! I see people buy this at Ulta all the time, but there are just so many sea salt sprays that it’s hard to keep up. This one works so well and smells so nice. It gives nice, natural waves and slight curls without making my hair feel crunchy or dry.
Evian Facial Spray
Did I mention it gets pretty hot here in North Dakota? It does, often, and this spray has been a lifesaver. Whether I’m wearing makeup or not, I’ll spritz this across my face and immediately feel cooled down. It just feels so nice, and I’ll definitely buy another bottle once I use this up. I’ve had this bottle for well over a year (maybe two?) now, so it lasts a long time.
Andalou Naturals Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask
This mask is just heaven. Seriously. It smells and looks like chocolate, and it feels so moisturizing and just plain lovely. I love using this once or twice a week as a pick-me-up for my skin. I notice my skin looks and feels smoother right after I use it, and that effect lasts a few days, which is nice. Seriously, go out and buy this right now. It’s amazing!
Colourpop Super Shock Shadows: Glow, Wattles and Strength
I haven’t used my Colourpop shadows in a long time, so I made it a point to start using them more in August. These are my three favorite neutral shades that are perfect together or used alone for a simple look. Glow is a nice natural beige tone with some highlighting qualities, Wattles is a medium-toned pink with some beige undertones and Strength is a light brown that looks very natural on the eyelids. The picture doesn’t do them justice, but these colors are just gorgeous, creamy and pigmented.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: Intense Black
This should come as a surprise to no one. Almost everyone I talk to about liquid liner knows all about this liner and also loves it. It’s super black, it lasts all day and it’s so easy to use. After you use it for a few months, the tip does start to fray a bit, but the product works so well otherwise that I’m willing to overlook that, no problem.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
I’ve talked about this mascara before, and I fell in love with it again this summer (it’s a new tube, though, I promise). I love that the brush is curved, and the formula is super black and lasts all day with only one coat. What else could you possibly want?!
Maybelline Color Sensational Loaded Bolds Lipstick: Mauve It
I first heard about Maybelline’s Loaded Bolds collection a few months ago on their Snapchat, and I impatiently waited until Ulta finally got it! This color is a perfect “your lips but better” kind of color that I think would be flattering on a variety of skintones. It’s been my go-to color for work because it adds a little something to my look without being too much. So creamy and pretty!
Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick: Doll Parts
I know this is kind of unfair to mention, but I wore it a lot over the past few months, so I had to talk about it. This was from Jeffree Star’s holiday collection last year, and he brought it back with a restock a few months ago. It is the most beautiful, soft pink I’ve ever seen. The formula is fantastic, it’s super pigmented and it lasts a long time before you need to touch up (even with my super dry lips).
Sigma E56 Lid Shader Brush
I bought this a while ago when Sigma was doing a 30% off sale or something like that, and I’m so glad I did. This is the perfect kind of brush to use with Colourpop shadows all over the lid if you don’t want to always use your fingertips. It delivers the right amount of product without globbing it all in one area, if you know what I mean. It disperses the product really evenly, and it’s just fantastic. If you guys want me to do a post about my favorite brushes, I could totally do that! I’ve found some holy grail brushes that I couldn’t live without now.
Wet n Wild Brushes: Contour and Small Stipple
If you haven’t tried any Wet n Wild brushes yet, you are really missing out! I’m pretty sure they’re all under $2.99 a piece, so what are you waiting for?! I got a bunch of them, and I can do a separate post on my favorites from that line if you guys would like. The contour brush is perfect for, you guessed it, contouring. It’s not too harsh of an angle, and I feel like it has just the right amount of bristles to deposit color and blend without getting streaky or anything. The small stipple brush is perfect for highlighting on the cheekbones. It deposits color very evenly and blends like a dream.
