L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss

L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss in shade Saucy Mauve

L'Oreal's new Le Gloss lip gloss is fabulous! I purchased this gloss in the shade Saucy Mauve, which is a universally flattering pink color. I love the light vanilla scent and taste of this gloss, as well as the not too sticky, not too greasy feel of it on my lips. The gloss has fairly good staying power, too. I have been finding it hard to resist buying several more shades!

Summer Favorites

Covergirl Intense Shadow Blast, Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Tarte Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum, Tarte Natural Cheek Stain

I think everyone has a hard time finding products that work for them as the seasons change.  I have been experimenting a lot to find the right combination of products to keep me looking my best in the Summer heat and humidity. This post is devoted to sharing some of my favorite Summer products.  Personally, I like to wear lighter makeup in the Summer months, and I try to look for products that will stand up to both heat and water.

Base: I have been loving how Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (shade light to fair) mixed with a little of the Tarte Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum gives me a nice dewy look with a little coverage, as well.  These two products do a lot; I am getting moisture, SPF, coverage, and illumination all in one step.  I also add a light dusting of Laura Geller Balance N' Brighten Foundation to my T-zone to eliminate any shine.  If you haven't tried Balance N' Brighten Foundation, you are missing out; it feels super light your skin and really covers well.

Laura Mercier Pink Mosaic Shimmer Bloc, Tarte Park Ave Princess Mineral Bronzer, Laura Geller Balance N' Brighten Foundation in Fair

Bronzer: I contour my face with the Tarte Park Ave Princess Mineral Bronzer.  I really like this bronzer because it isn't too dark for my fair skin and it blends well. 

Laura Mercier Pink Mosaic Shimmer Bloc, Tarte Park Ave Princess Mineral Bronzer, Laura Geller Balance N' Brighten Foundation in Fair

Blush: For a day at the beach, I use Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Glisten to give my cheeks just a hint of lasting color.  I have also been enjoying my Laura Mercier Pink Mosaic Shimmer Bloc for everyday because when the light catches the shimmer it looks so pretty.

Eyes: Covergirl Intense Shadow Blast Primer + Rich Shadow is perfect for Summer.  The Beige Blast and Forever Pink shades are pretty by themselves or used as primer for eyeshadow.  These do not crease and really seem to hold up well in the heat.  I just smooth some on with my finger, add a swipe of mascara and my eyes done!

L to R: Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Tarte Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum, Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Glisten, Covergirl Intense Shadow Blast in Forever Pink and Beige Blast

I hope you are all having a great Summer and enjoying some fun in the sun.  I'd love to know what your favorite Summer products are!

July Birchbox

 

 

Just got my Cynthia Rowley inspired July Birchbox.  And, I have to say I am pretty pleased once again this month!

Here is what came in my box:

• Ahava Mineral Hand Cream:  This hand cream is very similar to the one I got in a previous box, and once again, it is a wonderfully silky cream...but it smells horrible!  It has a very strong baby powder scent that is overwhelming.  It's too bad because I would likely purchase the full-sized product if it smelled better.
• Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser:  This is actually a favorite cleanser of mine; so, I was happy to get a travel size bottle of it.  Check out my full review. 
• Redken Shine Flash:  This is a weightless shine spray for hair.  I haven't really experimented much with this.  I have naturally shiny hair; so, I don't know if I will need to use this.  I can say that it did feel weightless in my hair and wasn't sticky.  Also, this is just a shine spray not a hair spray.
• Zoya Touch Collection Nail Polish in Shay:  Zoya nail polishes are pretty great; they dry nicely, have good pigmentation, and don't chip easily.  Shay is a nice pearly, pink shade.  While it is not a very unique color, I was pleased to see it in my box.
• Kind Almond & Apricot bar:  This is an all natural fruit and nut bar.  It was pretty tasty.

New HG Brush!

Sigma E25 Blending Brush

A few months back, I bought the Sigma E25 blending brush while looking for a good eyeshadow blending brush.  And, since then it has become my HG (holy grail) blending brush!  This brush is small enough to work well as a crease brush and works wonders at blending out eyeshadow for a really seamless eye look.  Sigma brushes are really great quality brushes.  I only have a couple Sigma brushes, but I can't wait to add more to my collection!

What are your favorite makeup brushes?  Please comment below.

New Must Have Eyeliner

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum

I have been trying out the Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in the shade Deep Brown for the last couple months.  Prior to purchasing this eyeliner, my go-to liner was Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen; however, I had purchased a couple duds that just seemed to dry up within a couple weeks.  So, sorry Revlon, you have been replaced!  This Physicians Formula liner is awesome!  

The Physicians Formula website claims this about the liner: "High-tech formula enhances the appearance of lashes while providing the instant definition of a liquid eyeliner, in one easy step! Lash Boosting complex targets the base of lashes where it is most effective."  Essentially, the claim is that it will help your lashes grow longer over time.  I don't buy into that claim nor did I purchase the product for that reason.  But, I just love the way this liner glides smoothly and precisely onto my lids.  It has great staying power and is nicely pigmented.  This is yet another product that anyone can use; it makes applying liquid liner effortless!  This will definitely be a must have item for me for a long time to come.

Got Dark Circles? Try This!

Bare Minerals Multi-Tasking Face Concealer in shade Bisque

While I am not a huge fan of Bare Minerals products, they do have a few shining stars in their collection.  The Multi-Tasking Face Concealer being one of them.  Since Summer began, I have been using this concealer everyday as an alternative to my heavier liquid and cream concealers.  I am just amazed at the amount of coverage this powder provides while not looking heavy or settling into creases.  It feels feather light on my skin and seems to have just enough shimmer to illuminate the eye area without being sparkly.  The shade bisque works really well with my uber fair skin.  This is also a great product to top off your regular liquid and cream concealers with.  And, you can use it all over you face; I just find it works best as an under eye concealer.  To apply, I use my soft Coastal Scents Synthetic Foundation brush, but any soft bristled brush will work, just be sure to apply this product lightly and build coverage as needed.