Summer Essentials

• Skin Care
• Drunk Elephant H-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel: If you have oily skin, like me, don’t let the name of this product scare you! This moisturizer (or serum for dry skin) is ultra lightweight. When I apply this is actually feels like a cooling water mist being applied on my skin. It absorbs fast, keeps my skin hydrated, and doesn’t make me oily. 
• Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner: This toner is new to my routine but I’m already in love. It’s has some anti-aging benefits and preps my skin for all my skin care. I enjoy this toner in particular because it doesn’t add too much hydration, making me oily. (and trust me, I didn’t have a/c for a month and my skin wasn’t getting ridiculously oily in the humidity of atlanta)
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid: Exfoliation is key in the summer if you have oily skin! With sweat and oil mixing on your face you want to make sure your pores aren’t getting clogged causing blackheads and pimples. I use this twice a week at night. It helps keep my blackheads & pimples away. They come on multiple formulas for all different skin types too!
• Prep/Base
• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base: Eyeshadow primer is key for me 24/7 because I have hooded eyes. In the summer it’s even more important because the hot temperature can cause my makeup to melt off. 
• Becca Ever Matte Primer: Attention oily girls and guys buy this ASAP!!! Out of every matte primer I’ve ever tried this is hands down the best.
• Becca Backlight Filming Primer: Okay I know I just said I had oily skin and you’re probably wondering why I have this on my list of essentials. I use this a few different ways. I like to use this as a highlighter and I like to use this to mix in with my matte foundations. It gives a really nice glow without making me too greasy (if you’re skin is ultra oily I would skip this). If you have dry skin this is the primer you need! You could wear this as a primer or as a mix in. Becca has the Aqua Luminous which is basically this primer mixed with a pigment to give sheer coverage. If you want more coverage but a glow just buy this to mix with. 
• Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet: ELDW is my favorite foundation in the entire world. Why is this one on the list instead? This foundation does keep my matte longer (ELDW lasts longer tho). The consistency isn’t as runny which can just be easier to work with when I’m in a rush. 
• Laura Mericer Translucent Loose Setting Powder: No matter your skin type this powder can be beneficial. It’s nice and mattifying for anyone with oily skin. It doesn’t cause flash back either. If you have dry skin I’d suggest just using this in your t-zone if you want a matte look. 
• Summer Glow
• Nars Laguna Bronzer: Laguna is my go to bronzer in the summer. In the other seasons I’ll play around with other bronzers but in the summer I gravitate to this shade. It’s natural matte and finish. It’s not too orange or too cool.
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette: In my previous review (here) I gave the actual product a glowing review but the shades I wasn’t impressed with for my fair complexion. I have since changed my mind. I like using Incandescent Light as a highlight. The other shades (Dim & Radiant) I previously dislikes are now my go to glow-y bronzer topper or natural blush/bronzer duo on quick days. They give a glow without making me look shimmery. These products do not emphasis pores which is essential for anyone with oily skin.

Relaxing Spa-like Facials At Home 101

The first step to do a facial with the best benefits is to know your skin type and use products appropriate to your skin type! When you get a facial it’s always personalized there is no follow these steps / use these products exactly because skin is always changing. One day you might want to focus on relaxing, blackheads, hydration, exfoliation, etc... Feel free to leave me an ask! I can help you understand your skin better. Sometimes we feel like our skin is doing one thing but it could be a result your skin care routine. 

Colleen Rothschild Treatment Complex: Vitamin C, Retinol, and Salicylic Acid Review!

Colleen Rothschild currently has 3 Treatment Complex products in her line up: Vitamin C Treatment Complex, Retinol Treatment Complex, and Salicylic Acid Treatment Complex. 

Glossier Generation G Review

"A soft, popsicle-stain flush is our idea of a perfect lip.” Glossier

Summer Essentials: Lips

• Quick Days: Products I can throw on (and in my purse)
• Nars Chelsea Girls Gloss: I love this lip color. It’s so effortless. I throw this on when I want glossy lips, which I prefer in the summer. Since it’s a neutral pink, think MLLB, I can retouch without a mirror.
• Glossier Crush Generation G: In the summer you will catch me in a nude lip or full on red lip. Crush is the perfect quick-y red lip. It gives a hit of red, like you just ate a popsicle, without all the precision and patients a matte liquid lipstick takes. 
• Glam: Full lips and pigment
• YSL Le Orange 13: This is by far my most worn lipstick in the summer. It is the perfect mix of red and orange. The YSL Rouge Pur Couture formula is long lasting, full color, a satin finish, and not drying. I gives juicy lips without the overly glossy look. (Also I feel like a bold lip makes me look put together when I’m wearing almost no makeup.)
• Bare Minerals Swag Gen Nude: These Matte Liquid LipColor are new to Bare Minerals line (coming in July). The formula is a liquid matte lipstick that isn’t drying. This is your standard liquid lipstick, you will get transfer. (See the next option for budge proof lips) I really enjoy this color because 1) every time I wear it people want to know where to buy the color and 2) it’s matte color that is comfortable to wear. 
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks: Stila makes my favorite liquid lipsticks. They are thin, don’t crack, and last all day! If you want something smudge proof I suggest these. They have a wide range of colors from reds, nudes, plums, and pops of colors! 
• Toppers: Things to mix with any lip color
• Buxom White Russian Full on Lip Polish: White Russian is a very light pink nude. I love to wear this on top of any nude or pink. I’ll wear this over lip liners, liquid lipsticks, or lipsticks.
• Bite Honey Luscious Fruit Lip Gloss: Summer is the only time of year I’ll consider wearing glitter on my lips. Honey is practically translucent with a fine shimmer, micro-glitter. You can feel a bit of grit as the color wears off. I love toping this on any color. I like that is has the thicker formula because I can feel when I need to reapply.
• Maintenance: Keeping those lips healthy
• Dior Lip Maximizer: I know another clear gloss! I like wearing this while I get ready. It has a subtle plumping effect (filling in lip lines) and moisturizes my lips before application. 
• Bite Lip Mask: This is a staple in my collection. If you want to wear a liquid lipstick (or matte lip) and not have patchy dry lips afterwards wear this the night before.
• Glossier Balm DotCom: Coconut is my fav flavor. (They currently have 4 other flavors depending on your preference.) I carry this in my purse for when my lips get dry. If you go out to eat your lip color is bound to come off. I’ll throw this on while eating and when I’m about to leave excuse myself and reapply my lip color. BAM!, my reapplied lipstick isn’t crusty.