June 2015 Favorites

The summer is flying by at full steam, and it is time to post some products I have been enjoying for the month of June!

First off is an eyeliner I have been using almost daily this month.  This is the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise liquid eyeliner.  (The first of two Maybelline product favs this month).  As a former devotee to eye pencils, this is my very first liquid eyeliner product, and I've become converted.  The felt tip applicator makes it particularly user friendly, at least when you compare it to liquid liners that are applied by a brush.  The liquid liner look is more dramatic and generally longer-lasting than the pencil.  The tapered tip which comes to a point allows for a either a thin or thick liner.  I have yet to master a perfect wing with this product (with any eyeliner really), but this is the one to try it with.

I have a couple of hair products I want to mention this month.  I have been using this Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint shampoo for a few months now, not everyday, because the tea tree oil that is so healthy on the scalp can be killer on my already dry hair.  But it does wonders for improving a dry, itchy scalp.  As an added bonus, the scent is wonderful, relaxing and very aroma-therapeutic. 

On evenings when I use the tea tree shampoo find my hair needs an extra boost of moisture.  This newish brand, Living Proof, which I believed was developed with the help of Jennifer Aniston, has a really good leave-in conditioner called the "Night Cap Perfector."  I am a sucker for good smells, and the smell of this product reminds me of herbed tea.  Since I am on an herbed tea kick right now, I am loving it.  This conditioner makes my hair feel smooth and silky without wearing it down.  I am currently using a free sample I received at Sephora, but I would love to pick up the full size someday.  Living Proof products are sold at Ulta and Sephora.

I am such a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte lipsticks.   I have seven of them (having just recently purchased two of the new collection that was just released). The color below is in the shade, Lust for Blush.   I included it in this month's favorite because I wore it to a close friend's wedding this month, and not only was the shade beautiful, but it held up beautifully throughout the day.  This is a flattering, muted mid-tone pinky-mauve shade.  Because it is matte the color is saturated and velvety-feeling.  The formula is really comfortable and comfortable to wear.  I highly recommend these lipsticks!

Maybelline Creamy Matte "Lust for Blush" swatched on my wrist

Who doesn't love a beautiful summer nail polish?  This season I have been drawn to white-based, pastel colors.  I love the soft, feminine look it gives in shades that are fun, but not overly dramatic for summer.  This shade is Essie's "Bikini So Teeny,"  a gorgeous corn-flowery blue, which I know is extremely popular.  It is one of my go-to shades this time of year for hands and toes (though I love it the most on my toes).  I also love white-based baby pink shades and have recently purchased a pastel lavender.

And finally . . .

 

I have been on an herbal tea kick as of late, mostly because I am trying to eat/drink healthier, and find a way to replace soda addiction that has plagued me most of my life.  I have been loving trying out various new teas.  Tea is generally pretty inexpensive so you can sample a few different varieties at a time. The experiences with drinking tea daily has definitely caused me to see improvement in my overall health, and has helped me feel calmer.  Also, it has helped me to consume more water, which always a good thing for me.

It has been interesting to read up on various types of tea and discover their health benefits.  Until recently I hadn't even heard of rooibos tea or "red" tea.  I was out to breakfast earlier in the month with my friend and her fiance, and that is when I discovered this particular flavor, Organic African Nectar by Mightly Leaf.  (The box can be purchased from their website or from Whole Foods, Kneaders Bakery sells it and several other varieties Mighty Leaf offers in individual tea bags).   It has these bright, fruity tropical notes, which I really enjoy.  This tea was an instant favorite.  Some of the brands I've been sampling from include Tazo, Celestial Seasonings, Republic of Tea, Teavana, and Numi.  I would love to do a post on my favorite teas once I've sampled a larger variety. 

Catch ya later!

My Beauty Essentials

Here is a quick run down of makeup and skin care products I love and use on a regular basis, in other words, my "essentials."  I've also compiled a list of items I like but consider more of a luxury, not necessarily for everyday use.  And then there are three I'm mentioning that I don't bother with at all.  Makeup is extremely personal, and there is not one prescribed way to use it.  I know that something I consider essential may be completely unnecessary for someone else, and vice versa.  Some of the cosmetics I use are important for my health and upkeep, however, a lot of it I use because it is a hobby and passion of mine.  (I'm certainly not one who gets dolled up for fancy events on a regular basis).  So without further ado,  here is what the list of what I  (first world "need") to have at all times:

MAKE-UP
Mascara
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Foundation Primer
Foundation
Lip Balm
Lipstick and/or Gloss
Blush
Nail Polish
Makeup Brushes

SKIN CARE
Gentle Cleanser (one I can use to remove eye makeup if needed)
Daytime Moisturizer (preferably with SPF of 30 or higher)
Nighttime Moisturizer
Eye Cream

High maintenance?  Admittedly a little. 

Here is a list of what I don't have to have on a daily basis, but like to have on hand:

MAKE-UP
Concealer
Bronzer
Contour Powder
Highlighting product
Eyeshadow Primer
Makeup Setting Spray Beauty Blender

SKIN CARE
Eye Makeup Remover
Serum (with vitamins and/or antioxidants)
Exfoliant
Retinoid Cream(anti-wrinkle benefits)


Here are some products that many consider to be essential that I personally never bother with and explanations as to why:

Eye Lash Curler-  This is one of those things that if I ever regularly used one, I would probably decide I couldn't live without it.  But I'm perfectly happy not having one, so why try to change that?  I do remember trying one out as a teenager, and seeing very little difference at all.  And to tell you the truth, they kind of scare me.  I'm afraid something would startle me while I was using one and accidentally rip out all of my lashes.  Pas bien. 

Brow Gel/ Pencil- I was blessed with good brows (though I have a thousand other flaws to make up for it).  So I don't need to fill them it, at least at this stage of my life.  If I start to lose my brows as I grow older, you better believe I will be all about filling them in to get my full brows back.  I use brow combs, spoolies and wax every once and awhile to keep them in place, but not all the time.  I tweeze and get them waxed every few weeks to keep them well-groomed. 

Self-Tanner- I understand the appeal of self-tanners, I really do.  They have some amazing products out there that help people safely fake a tan so as not to endanger their skin, and I am a huge supporter of that. 
As for myself, I am about as fair as they come.  I don't tan naturally- I burn, I freckle, but I don't really tan, so I figure, why try to pretend my skin can do something it really can't?  I gave up on real tanning many, many, years ago, and now I am so completely paranoid about skin cancer, I spend the summers indoors as much as possible, or repeatedly slathering on spf and lingering in the shade when I have to be outside.  Self-tanners aren't worth my time and money.  I make do with the occasional application of face bronzer, for a sun-kissed glow, and good old fashioned sheer pantyhose when I am wearing a skirt.  It works for me.


So, after all of that I will say that I reserve the right to change my mind on any of the above that I mentioned.  I may decide one of my "must haves" is non-essential, or more likely, that one of my "not important" items may some day become a must-have.  For example, I used to think that the idea of foundation primer was a joke, but once I started using one I became converted for life.
I'll delve further into my favorite brands of some of these products that I love in future posts.   :)