Sadly, Summer is just about over. I know, everyone and their mother loves Fall, but I don’t. It’s better than winter, but I’m a Summer girl so, I’m feeling a bit sad starting my August Favorites. Good news though – I am doing my August Favorites and “Favorites” posts are always fun! So clichéd, but so true! J If you’re interested in what I’ve been loving throughout August, keep on readin’!
In the skincare realm, I started using the Seventh Generation Clearing Boost Skin Serum this month to help tame the breakouts caused by an evil moisturizer and the brutalities brought upon me by the aesthetician. I haven’t really experienced much in the way of new breakouts since using it and it seems to be keeping my combo skin less oily without any dryness! You can read my full review here (and don’t forget to enter the Giveaway!!!). It’s been an absolute wonder this month!
I have been using the Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation and the Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush pretty much every day. You can read my full review here and see just how well it covers discoloration. It is just so fast and easy to apply and it has great coverage, though you can apply it lightly for a more natural finish too. With all my current redness, this has been a lifesaver! Well, it makes my skin look better! J
For blush, I have two favs that are similar in formulation. They are both powder cheek staining blushes and I love them both! They’re all I’ve used this month. The first one is from IT Cosmetics and it’s their Vitality Cheek Flush in “Matte Sweet Apple,” which is a gorgeous red shade that creates a nice, natural flush. My other favorite also creates a beautiful natural-looking flush, but it’s a bit more of a raspberry-toned shade. It is the InStain Blush from theBalm in “Toile!” Both blushes are matte, very long-wearing and incredibly pigmented. I just adore them both!
I received a sample of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and I absolutely love it! I almost bought a tube before receiving the sample, but in stores, the hourglass-shaped brushes all looked like a nasty, clumpy mess and completely turned me off. I was excited to try it without forking over the $23 (who wants to pay that for a mascara?!?!), and it is amazing stuff that may just be worth the price! It lengthens nicely, but what it’s amazing for is volume. It reminds me of the look of Benefit’s Bad Gal Lash, but it’s nowhere near as dry (and it’s cruelty-free). It can clump a bit on the lashes if you apply too much before the first coat dries, but in general, I haven’t had much issue with clumps, and when I have, it’s been due to impatience. I have noticed that as time is passing, the brush on my little sample is starting to look gunky and kind of like the testers in stores, plus it’s applying a bit more unevenly. I’ve probably had this open a little less than a month, so that’s a bit concerning. Regardless, I still adore the Better Than Sex mascara! J
I actually have a specific eye shadow favorite this month, which has probably never happened! It is “Faint” from Urban Decay’s Naked Basics Palette (UD is still cruelty-free, but has been bought by L’Oreal, which is not). I’ve used this in the crease and the outer corner of my eye virtually every time I’ve worn shadow. With a light hand, it is perfect for deepening a natural look, and it builds up nicely for slightly more dramatic looks. It’s nicely pigmented, I don’t get fallout and it blends beautifully. It is a nice buttery shadow, but it is also a hint powdery. I find most shadows that blend well kick up some dust, but it really doesn’t bother me. Can I add that this palette is always a real bitch to open. Is it just me?
Lastly for the eyes, I’ve been using my Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in “Zero” almost daily to tightline my upper waterline. Even if I wear nothing more than mascara, I’ve been using it just to add a little more “oomph” to my lash line. It’s not super black like “Perversion,” so I actually prefer “Zero” for more of a no-makeup kind of day.
Moving to hair, I’ve been looking for a good dry shampoo that’s cruelty-free for a while now, and though I really like the one from Acure, it’s a messy powder and hard to apply. This month, I finally found a spray that’s not too bad! That’s high praise, isn’t it? J I’m not sure that it adds any volume to my hair, which would make it even better, but it does refresh my hair and get rid of any residual greasiness on second, and even third day, hair! And it smells ok. Not amazing, but it’s not objectionable in any way. It is the Psssst! Dry Shampoo from Freeman Beauty. I didn’t realize that Psssst! was made by Freeman, which is a company on PETA’s list of non-testers. It can leave a slight white cast on darker hair (my roots are rapidly taking over my blonde!), but it brushes right out, so I don’t find it to be a problem – I actually wish it would lighten my roots since they’re far too visible! J If you have any dry shampoo recommendations, please leave them in the comments because I’m still hunting for a better one! But if your hair is feeling a bit less than fresh, this is definitely good for eliminating the grease balls!
I have a couple honorable mentions that I’ve love so far, but haven’t used enough to justify including them…yet! First is the Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette – gorgeous, buttery sot shadows. Absolutely adore “Girly!” A much nicer shade than the similar reddish-brown-green duo-chromes out there. I also just started testing the NARS Creamy Concealer thanks to the massive positive reaction from other bloggers. I was really trying to pass on this one, despite the insane temptation. I just have so many concealers and I’m not really unhappy with them. This has seriously amazing coverage! It’s so creamy, blends beautifully and seems to stay put. My problem with NARS concealers is their shade range never quite matches my skin. They tend to run a bit too yellow for me. But this concealer is seriously impressive so far, and it covers even the deepest discoloration with ease! (NARS is cruelty-free, but owned by Shiseido, which is not.)
And that’s it for my Favorites / Most Used for August! If you saw my Travel Makeup Bag post, or the What I Used… post, these will almost all look familiar. Sorry for the repetition, but they really are what I’ve loved this month. Hope you enjoyed my monthly favorites because I love putting these posts together! J Let me know what some of your favorites have been in August, or how about something different – tell me which of these products you would most like to try! I’d love to know! I hope you all had a wonderful Summer and have a fantastic September! J
xoxo
