August 2014 Favorites

MAKE Cosmetics Matte Dew · MAC Hug Me · MAC Viva Glam V Lipglass · MAC Margin Blush · Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer · NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska

How crazy is it that August is over? Gonna be honest though, super stoked for fall weather; leaves changing, chilly nights and gorgeous days. Put me on a rooftop and give me a glass of Pinot and I'll be good. I think I have an obsession with rooftops, guys.

It's been hot in New York — really hot with a stupid amount of humidity that makes you want to shower 341482 times a day. Not cute, therefore minimalism was definitely a thing for me. Less is more and all that jazz. 

To help combat oils, I stuck to the matte side of MAKE's Custom Finish Effects Matte Dew.  It's super silky and will help in any places you need a little less shine. On the other hand, when the nights are cooler, I've been loving the dewy side for a purposely-glowy boost. It's perfect and I really want to try their Face Gloss when the cooler weather comes.

Nude lips are my thing as of late. MAC's Hug Me + Viva Glam V Lipglass are the perfect combo. I usually hate lipgloss but I can't stop wearing this one. If you're looking for a pink nude that leans towards the brown side (as I normally do), definitely check these two out. Obsessed.

While NARS Douceur is my every-day blush of choice, I've started to fall a bit for Margin again. It's kind of a brown peach color with a frost finish so it's gorgeous on tanned / yellow-toned skin. Paired with the aforementioned nude lip and a bit of liner? Hell yes.

Switching gears to bases, Fresh's moisturizer is still in rotation. It's light and hydrating and I can't get enough. NARS Tinted Moisturizer is the new love of my life. It stays on through the hot summer days and doesn't melt off while waiting for the subway (guuuuuuhhhh). The coverage is on the lighter side but totally buildable.

And so we have my August favorites. Let me know if you guys would like me to do separate reviews for any of these! Happy September!

Early Spring Favorites

Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray / Burberry Brit EDT / Bobbi Brown Even Finish Longwear Foundation (sand) / MAC Modesty / Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer / MAC Harmony 

Let's just start out by saying that I am so stupidly thankful the snow is gone. Now I can only hope it stays that way *fingers crossed*. I'm not normally that into spring to be honest. I dig summer, love fall, and winter is pretty enough for me to deal but there's just something very meh about spring weather for me. Those in-between days where it's too windy to go sans-jacket but if you're in the sun long enough it's just ugh, sweltering? I can't get behind it. That said, all I want is sun and I don't care if I need light layers. I will do it as long as there is no more snow. And with that, all the pretty berry shades I own will be used a little less and the peachy ones a bit more. You know, cuz I'm predictable and all. 

When I got my hair cut in January (best haircut eva) my stylist recommended the Moroccan Oil Glimmer Spray. Basically does what it says +  protects your hair against sun and a bunch of other elements. Considering it hit 80º here on Sunday, I'd say this is a definite must for the warmer months. It's been a daily-use product for me and I couuuld live without it but like, why would I want to? 

I'm back in the Burberry game, back to the first perfume I ever wore (and stuck to) and I still love it all the same. It's such a light, sexy scent which is one of the reasons why it'll be on rotation all throughout the spring and summer. 

Face/base wise, I've been fairly consistent these past few months. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize with the Fresh's Lotus Moisturizer. It's super light on the skin which is reaaaaally important to me. It keeps my skin feeling perfectly hydrated and supple and I love it. The smell is pretty lovely too. For foundation I've been using Bobbi Brown Longwear quite a bit. It's so glorious and I'm not sure why it took me so long to try. Sometimes I mix it with primer for a lighter, daytime coverage and then I'll build it up for nights out. It's incredibly versatile and the shade range is pretty great. I really want to check out the BB cream next — do any of you recommend it?

Moving on to MAC. Ahhh, who doesn't love some classic MAC shades? I bought Harmony so long ago and was obsessed, then I fell out of love (as one can sometimes do), and then rediscovered it not too long ago. What the hell was I thinking? It's the perfect spring contour if I don't want to go all out with NARS Laguna. It's subtle and it's matte — plus it looks good paired with all my favorite peachy pink blushes. For lips I've been sticking with nudes/browns; must be the 90s thing going on. Anyway, Modesty is amazing and very similar to Patisserie except it's less pink and more nude. 

I'll probably do a follow up post / monthly favorites posts after this but I just thought I'd talk about my favorite things as of late. What are you guys loving?!

Fresh Mini Sugar Lip Treatment Duo

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 (Mini) · Sephora Beauty Insider Gift

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!

As you Beauty Insiders know, Sephora's birthday gift this year is a mini set of Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment; one in Clear and one in Rosé. I've seen the Sugar Lip Treatments every time I've gone to Sephora but never really stopped to check them out. When I got the birthday postcard I felt kind of meh but was excited to have the chance to try them out anyway.

I've got to say that these are definitely under-hyped (at least as far as I'm concerned) because they're seriously amazing products. I'm not sure how else to describe what they do except for that they basically melt onto your lips leaving them soft and hydrated and immediately ridding you of any chapped-ness. The Rosé color is actually quite nice — it's a pinkish berry color that is pigmented, but still sheer enough to not be too much. I mean, it is a lip treatment after all.

What do you guys think of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments? Which are your favorites?