Monthly Favorites: July 2025 Edition!

[KhyleyBT]

A summery helloooo to you BIC, and I hope July has been treating you well! 🌞 My summer is off to the races weeee. 🏁 We are lucky to enjoy Summer Fridays over here at Sephora HQ, so I’ve used those to plan some long weekend trips, river days and whatever else allows me to soak up the sun—queue up the Summer BBQ playlist 🎸🎵

With that in mind, I’ve paired down my makeup routine in the warmer weather and gathered some minis of my regular skincare regimen. Thank you to everyone who commented on myMonthly Favorites: May 2025 Edition! post about sunscreen recs! MERIT launched their new Tinted Mineral Sunscreen a few days after I posted, so I snagged that and have not been disappointed. It blends beautifully, has no white cast and as a Brown girl, it’s one of the first tinted sunscreens I’ve used where I found a good shade match. 🤎 12/10 recommend for any of you looking for clean & light coverage with sun protection!

Here's everything I’m loving right now:

• MERIT The Uniform™ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
• Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches 
• Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench™ Jet Set 
• TOM FORD Soleil Lip Blush Balm with pH-Adaptive Pink Stain clear

Lights, camera, action BIC 📸✨ I wanna know what’s in your summer stash and what you’re up to for the rest of it! Make sure to use the “#” to tag your faves so we can yap n shop like always 💅

P.S. We are aware of a bug preventing new products from showing up in the product tag search, but don’t let that dampen hot BIC summer 🔥, we still want to hear about them!

[itsfi]

On their own, the Sephora Collection lip liner pencils will have a slightly different look and feel on the lips than the Huda but if you hit put (darn, autocorrect!) a gloss or balm over them, very similar effect. @PrettyPaint 

ETA: 30% of all Sephora Collection products on Saturday (8.23). 😉 

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi Thank you! And I totally forgot about the 30% off. I will likely be placing an order! 🙂

[itsfi]

Oh, I just saw this @PrettyPaint, but there’s 5x points on all Sephora Collection that will still be in play during Saturday’s 30% off SC. You do need to “apply” or activate the 5x points on the app. 

 

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi Oh wow, I didn't realize you still get the 5x points. I don't see anymore where you activate it (maybe it's still active). I already used it about a week ago, so hopefully I can get it to work again. Thanks so much! 🙂

[danielledanielle]

👀 🤔

Brushes....

[CynthieLu]

Those colorfix eyeshadow Stix are pure temptation @itsfi 😉💖 The Duo #6 is so pretty on you in your swatch photo, I can't see why you just had to try a couple more.  Can I ask, how easily do they wash off? 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, the DM ColorFix sticks are great. I haven't had any issues or difficulty removing them - double cleanse, normal, gentle pressure on the eyelids.

[CynthieLu]

I have heard from more than one person how quickly they set and it made me curious to know just how easy they are to remove. That's good to know @itsfi thank you! 🙏

[Ispend2much6]

Some strong favorites that I've been using, a couple are "on trial."  

Lancome mascara- This doesn't add much volume, but it does make my lashes a LOT longer and because of the slight dryness of the formula, it keeps the lashes upright.

DE Glycolic body lotion- I'm experimenting with this one.  10% AHAs.  I'm trying it as a facial lotion because it's a lot cheaper than equivalent lotions for the face. It's giving me a slight tingle and some color to my skin, which is great.  I'm used to glycolic acid but this is strong; I won't use this more than weekly, probably.

DE new Amino Rainwater serum- Something I'm using is giving me milia on my forehead; I never used to get it.  I only use this 1-2 times a week with foundation, so I'm hoping this isn't the culprit.  It makes a nice foundation base!

IGK hair oil- I've used this on dry hair and liked it, but I like it even more applied to damp hair after washing.  It keeps my hair pretty soft and my curls intact.  It's a very small bottle.  Has a mild citrus scent, for which I'm grateful because most of these hair oils are strongly scented.

Medicube Pore Pads- I think @makeitup305  posted about these.  I was curious so I bought them during Prime Day.  They are VERY effective, and pretty mild.  I've been using it twice a week.  My skin is very clear, and I haven't been using any other acids during that time.  Very cost-effective!

Style Edit Root Touch Up powder- I wish I didn't need this, but I do.  It has a round sponge applicator attached to the bottom.  It really does look natural if you brush it into the hair surrounding the application area.  It lasts forever, although I am glad I bought it before their prices shot up!  They have a corresponding spray product also which is very good.  

DE Amino Rainwater Serum- This contains mica, so it does add a definite glow.  I tried to capture the pinkish hue that displayed during exposure to natural light; I think it might be reflecting my undertone because there is no tint to this serum.  Or maybe it's refracting light rays.  I don't know, I'm not a scientist. 🙂

[PrettyPaint]

@Ispend2much6 I haven't tried those medicube pore pads before, but I may pick them up. That's good to hear that they are gentle. 

[Ispend2much6]

@PrettyPaint  It's probably obvious, but I've tried a LOT of skin care items.  These have quickly become one of my top five.  I think, in trying to get my skin to be more hydrated, I clog up my pores because I'm getting a lot of milia which I never did before.  These are helping a lot with that, and my skin is really, really clear!

[PrettyPaint]

@Ispend2much6 Well you are an expert in that case! 🙂 That's an interesting point about milia. I've sometimes noticed a bit of that (perhaps) under my eyes. Do you think these are gentle enough that they could be used under the eyes (if you don't get too close to the actual eyes)?

[Ispend2much6]

@PrettyPaint  I just discovered that Paula's  Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Firming Eye Gel is supposed to deter milia development.

[PrettyPaint]

@Ispend2much6  Oh nice! I need to place an order with them soon anyhow. By the way, I'm sorry for the late reply. I must not be getting notifications or something (either that or just missed them).

[Ispend2much6]

@PrettyPaint  That's a great idea, to use the pads under the eyes!  Only one way to find out. lol

I was having a big problem with under eye milia, which was particularly tough when they grew on my waterline- those would get huge.

This is embarrassing, but I wasn't cleaning my eyes well enough after makeup removal.  I assumed the run-off from washing my face would be enough, but it wasn't.  My eye dr recommended using Ocusoft Lid Scrub pads.  They're not really a scrub, but a cleanser that is really gentle.  Or, you could use baby shampoo.

But to get rid of the milia, I read online that someone used Dr. Brandt's Pore Dermabrasion on them.  That company changed the name and possibly the formulas of their exfoliating products; they now have a gentle face exfoliator.

Anyhow, I use a q-tip to apply it, even on the waterline, and left it for a couple of minutes then carefully rinsed off.  Worked like a charm- only took 2 days for them to break and start healing.

[PrettyPaint]

@Ispend2much6 I wonder if my eyes aren't getting clean enough either. That sounds really rough having to deal with milia near your waterline. 

I've used those Ocusoft lid pads before when I've been having allergies. They are great, although expensive. Next time I find them on sale I will pick more up. 

Are you saying that you apply the Dr. Brandt Dermabrasian near your your eyes? Just want to check so I don't experience any issues. 

[Ispend2much6]

@PrettyPaint  Yes, even right under the waterline beneath my lashes.  But I was very careful in my placement to just put the cream on the bumps, nowhere else.  And I only left it on for two minutes.  Wiped then rinsed the cream away.  Only once a day.  And I don't scrub, I just apply it and let it sit.

It never occurred to me that all of the oily, heavy makeup removers I use just might clog the pores of the thin skin below my eyes.  I thought the extra moisture would do them some good.  But eye creams will do that too.  I think I need to stay away from dimethicones in my products.  I usually do, and that seems to help.  

[PrettyPaint]

@Ispend2much6 Thanks so much. If I give this a try, I'll definitely be careful and not leave it on too long. I can never tell what products irritate my eyes. Every few months, I always get this issue where the outer corners of my eyes (like where you'd apply winged liner) gets irritated, red, and watery. I have no clue what causes it, though. It could be allergies, a product, etc. 

[Sunnysmom]

That’s interesting about the Dr. Brandt’s dermabrasion @Ispend2much6 . I’ve used probably the older version for a long time and love it but never dared use it by my eyes, if the same product. It may not be. I have found certain skincare or eyeliners can contribute if I get them. Ugh. The pads sound good too! @PrettyPaint .

[PrettyPaint]

@Sunnysmom Yeah, I've never been able to totally pinpoint what causes them for me. I tend to switch things up so much that it's always so hard to figure out the culprit. 

[Sunnysmom]

I know @PrettyPaint , it can also be so random. Probably the same for me with switching stuff up.  Frustrating. I also get that eye irritation you mentioned- itchy, flaky, watering and red. I think allergies can contribute too. Fun times. 🥹I find LaMer eye balm or concentrate helps me a lot during these episodes.