JULY 2017 FAVORITES !!

[jemly]

man, what a month. we got a new community, we got so many new (amazing) launches, we got excited about our favorites.

this month was a big lip month for me ! i was really into a spectrum of bright pink to burgundy, usually paired with a sludgy eye. no skincare faves this month as my routine hasn't budged !

july faves !

it's long winded this month, so i've put everything in a spoiler. can't wait to hear what everyone has been into this month !

Spoiler

• CLARINS instant light lip comfort oil, candy. i actually meant to put this in last months favorites, and forgot ! but my love for it has stayed firm through this month. it's just a pleasure--so comfortable, the massive doe foot applicator is plush and feels so nice. i could wear it any time, but i enjoy putting it on before bed and waking up with smooth moisturized lips with a leftover pink tint (the 'candy' color has that pH adapting tint--like the DIOR lip glow). it is just a little sticky, but in that way that feels like it's binding to your lips; it's not uncomfortable.
• NARS powermatte lip pigments, warm leatherette (bright berry) & under my thumb (burgundy). what a launch ! i thought it was pretty much over the liquid lip thing, but nope. i adore this formula. the formula is so flexible, which i think is key to why this one is a bit different. i can reapply it after eating without a problem. it seems to plump my lips rather than turn them into a cat butt. and these two colors are SO AMAZING. 
• BITE LLLR "hall of famer". what a glorious color. every time i've worn it i've had strangers ask me what my lipstick is. if that's not an endorsement of awesomeness, i don't know what is !
• URBAN DECAY single eyeshadow, lounge. when @ShannonAlexis wore a red eye look in @Anonymous's 'challenge yourself' thread, i noticed a slight green/red shift in the center of her eye. IT WAS A REVELATION ! i bought lounge--which looks more green in the pan but the red shift really shows on the lid--that day. 
• MELT gunmetal stack. this was a gift and i'm so very grateful ! these are very glittery, but i find on my eye they give a very wet look (rather than glitter barbie) which i've been absolutely loving. my favorite colors from the stack are the brownish grey 'industrial' and the matte taupe 'assimilate'. i use the glittery shades both all over the lid or as smudgy liner. love.
• NYX faux white eyeliner, linen. these are BRILLIANT waterline eyeliners. i want more. linen is a pinky peach. stays on, instantly brightening.
• NARS narsissist lip glide set, rapture & burning love. i was so stoked when i saw this set because they're the exact colors i'd been wanting in the velvet lip glide formula. i haven't had a chance to use every color from the 5-piece set, but i keep reaching for these two. rapture is a bright (but not too bright) pinky peach nude. burning love looks quite red in the tube, but on my lips looks like a juicy berry (similar to the AMAZING givenchy 100 pt perk lipstick this month). 
• IGK low key walnut hair scalp scrub. i was given this gratis from sephora and i'm just adoring it. i do not use shampoo with sulfates, and this is a perfect supplement in my routine for when i need something with a bit of cleaning oomph. it feels so so good--i love using it when my scalp feels sore after a day of having my hair. and my hair always looks fresh and clean after using it too. it's a bit drying but i just rectify this by using it on the same days i use my hair mask.
• DIPTYQUE eau duelle EDP. a fragrance that smells of milky black tea and vanilla. you know what bliss is ? bliss is when you're wearing this while drinking a cup of milky black tea. (or, more specifically, black tea with vanilla almond milk !). i imagine this is one of my forever fragrances, i'll never be without it (so long as i can afford it !).

[sister13]

Congrats on the new job! @Libellules  I used to use a lot of Natura Bisse skincare and really liked it.

[lipstick4soul]

Those wipes are amazing. I always have them when I travel. They are great at removing heavy sunscreen as well as makeup.  The regular spa water is good too but the texture/plushness of the wipes is great and they have just the right amount of spa water in them. 

Do do they still sell the larger pack anywhere? I feel bad at all waste when I use these a lot. 

[jemly]

that SL bottle is just dreamy.

[Libellules]

It is! 😍

Its a bit fancy 😳  I was thinking the same about your Do Son bottle, actually!

[darkiceis]

@Libellules The Ko Gen Do wipes have been speaking to me for the longest.  Are these wipes comparable to any other wipes that you have tried?

[mrsbaine]

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darkiceis wrote:

@Libellules The Ko Gen Do wipes have been speaking to me for the longest.  Are these wipes comparable to any other wipes that you have tried?

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They are the thickest wipes I've used. I buy the small count for vacations. It's easier to travel with them over the liquid. 

[Libellules]

@darkiceis I don't think I tried a ton of wipes before going to these. I used to be loyal to neutrogena, but wasn't a fan of their fragrance (it was often changing and at one point was watermelon - not my favorite), and felt like I had to scrub pretty hard :x. 

Id also tried the sole Henriksen ones, but also really strong orangey odor and they broke me out!

The Koh Gen Do ones are really light and feel refreshing. I don't really smell a fragrance, and feel like the do a good job without having to rub my face/eyes raw 🤐  I've probably been using them for about 4 years now 🤔  Im a fan! 😊

[mrsbaine]

I had a couple makeup Favorites this month! Nars had an awesome month for me! The new Lip glide set from Ulta was a winner. Like @jemly, I've been all about them! My two favorite colors that I've worn non stop are Staying Alive and Immoral. I really hope Nars makes them part of the perm collection. 

I've been all over cream products lately. I've been reaching for Becca Opal cream highlighter almost daily. It's reliable and pretty. 

Finally, more Nars; I decided to try the All day Luminous foundation again and I love it! I'd tried it when it first came out and my skin was too dry to deal with the formula. It clung to dry spots and oxidized weirdly. None of that happens now! It gives a beautiful glow and lasts all day. 

[darkiceis]

@mrsbaine This foundation works better for me with the Real Techniques Buffing brush, 2nd favorite is the Sephora collection airbrush brush, 3rd beauty blender. After I dot my face with foundation, I spread the product in a circling stippling motion. (If this makes sense.) I actually have been wearing this foundation since the winter and it's been fine for me. 

[darkiceis]

@mrsbaine That Nars foundation does wonders on my dry skin.  What's really impressive is how little you need.

[mrsbaine]

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darkiceis wrote:

@mrsbaine That Nars foundation does wonders on my dry skin.  What's really impressive is how little you need.

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I totally agree @darkiceis! The color match for my summer tan works well. I wonder what will happen in the winter. I do find the color to have a bit of olive in it- more olive than I have in my skin, but once it plays with my chemistry, it seems to mellow out. 

[jemly]

@mrsbaine lovely ! i've think that the NARS all day luminous weightless foundation might just be the most misunderstood foundation, ever ! if you apply too much, disaster. if you apply just a little, it goes a long way, and glory glory ! sometimes i still forget this myself...

i still find the bottle soooo pretty, too

[mrsbaine]

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jemly wrote:

@mrsbaine lovely ! i've think that the NARS all day luminous weightless foundation might just be the most misunderstood foundation, ever ! if you apply too much, disaster. if you apply just a little, it goes a long way, and glory glory ! sometimes i still forget this myself...

i still find the bottle soooo pretty, too

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 I completely agree @jemly! And I have a lot of luck with application with a beauty blender over any other way. I also shake the heck out of the bottle. 🙂 

[Madeline7]

At the start of every month I reorganize my makeup drawer to include my favorite items and shuffle in a few other items in my stash (to see if my feelings have change, if they're a new favorite, to get more use, to see if it's time to destash them, etc). Here's my drawer from the month of July 😊

 With all the hype around the Subculture palette, I've rotated my two other ABH palettes back in, and I'm renewing my love for Modern Renaissance ❤️  The Mario palette is still a meh for me.  I find the colors get soupy and blend out to grayish tones.  Its not my favorite, and sometimes I hesitate to use it because its in good condition and people seem to really want to buy this palette for a high price lol.

My other top palette love this month has been Colourpop Yes Please.  This palette is worth ALL the hype!  I've been loving using bold, bright, warm colors on my lower lash line (especially in gradient form).  

My other love this month has been the Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Bali Sands.  This is a gorgeous, light yellow toned bronzer.  It gives me a lovely glow and I just love this so much.

The last notable product for me this month has been the Natasha Denona All Over Glow.  I got this in my Beautylish box, and was mixed about it at first because the color swatches darker than my skin tone, but I think it actually works well in the summer because it adds to a bronzed look.  The shimmer is very pretty.  I've been layering Becca Moonstone on top of it to elevate the color on my cheekbones.

[blueviolet21]

@Madeline7 You're not the only one who is meh on the Mario palette... I have one too and I can't figure out what to do with it. I love your beautifully organized drawer!

[fairlywell]

@Madeline7 I love your tidy storage! 

[darkiceis]

@Madeline7 Yay for organization! Thanks for the reviews too.