January 2020 Beauty Favorites

Hi all! I hope you had an amazing week!   I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that January is over.  Bring on a fresh new month!

Below are my beauty faves for January. I didn’t purchase much this month, so these are mostly older items to me. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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Pixi Beauty Retinol Jasmine Lotion — I use retinol products a few days a week and love using this as my last step at night.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea — This is cooling and smells amazing.  It also helps to brighten my dull winter skin.

StriVectin Peptight Tightening & Brightening Face Serum — I received this from BzzAgent a couple of weeks ago and have been using it every day (review to come).

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation — The shade I have is 20CP.  It’s a bit light for me except for right now when I’m at my palest. I love how this makes my skin look, very smooth and youthful!

Urban Decay The Ultimate Brush Off Translucent Loose Setting Powder — I have the Universal Translucent shade of this.  I love the texture of this powder.  It’s very finely milled and doesn’t make my aging skin look textured! I do really use the brush that’s in the lid, but I can use it in a pinch.

e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer — This is in my 2020 Project Pan this year.  I got this last spring and liked it okay.  So I thought I should give it some love and use it up. I have found that I am really enjoying it. It’s full coverage and easy to blend.

Milk Makeup Mini Bronzer in Baked — I received this in a holiday gift set and was so excited to try it.  And, it doesn’t disappoint!  It’s easy to blend and the shade is so pretty on.  This is the first cream bronzer that I have really enjoyed using.

Farsali Rose Gold Skin Mist — I received this in my November BoxyCharm.  This was my first Farsali product, and I really love it.  It has a fine mist and gives a light glow to the skin.

And…

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Colourpop Going Coconuts Palette —  I love this palette!  It’s an amazing everyday palette that is more cooler tones.  This has made me want to purchase more Colourpop palettes and I have!  Colourpop releases so many palettes that I was kind of overwhelmed last year and only purchased a couple.  But I’m really loving some of their current neutral collections.


I have enjoyed using what I have this month!  I’ve really been going through my skincare, too.  I will have my empties in my January Shop My Stash results coming up next.

What are your current favorites?

 

 

 

2019 Annual Makeup Favorites — And One Big Fail!

Happy New Year!  I’m excited to share my 2019 annual favorites.  This year I’m breaking it up into two categories — Makeup and Skincare.

I love sharing my favorite makeup products.  I’ve included one in each category, and I will also lists some honorable mentions.  I usually don’t include products I don’t like, but I have one extreme fail this year that was a favorite on many people’s lists.  So read to the end if you want to know what foundation didn’t work for me at all!

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These are my favorite and most used products of 2019.  If I have reviewed or mentioned them before, I’ll link that post.

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Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol. 1 Palette — I purchased a few new palettes this year and got a couple in PR that I really like. This one stood out to me because I really love Tati and wanted to support her, and I’ve never seen a palette laid out like this.  Gorgeous!

Honorable mentions are the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette.  I used it a lot this year.  It’s such a nice, neutral palette.  A new one that’s a favorite is the Colourpop Going Coconuts palette.  I will be reviewing that one soon. And my favorite colorful palette is the Natasha Denona Sunrise palette.  It’s so gorgeous!    

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NARS Makeup Your Mind Eye & Cheek Palette — So this palette holds my favorite bronzer, Laguna and my favorite blush formula from the year.  I love all three of the blush shades in this — Luster, Orgasm and Dolce Vita.  Beautiful!

Looking back on my monthly favorites for 2019,  I really didn’t have many blushes or bronzers in there.  In November I purchased the Colorpop Pressed Powder Blush in Enchanted Mirror and the Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Sun Light. I have been loving both of those.  I would love to find more favorites in these categories this year.

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Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer — I purchased this in the spring Ulta 21 Days of Beauty, but just started using it in the fall.  I used it up in 2 months!  I will be purchasing again.  A primer I loved for the warm weather is the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Prime Essence.  I received it in a BoxyLuxe this year and loved how smooth it made my skin!

Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation — This isn’t a new foundation, but it was new to me this year.  I love that it gives a natural finish with a nice coverage.  It doesn’t look like I’m wearing makeup. Honorable Mentions are the Pur 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Foundation and the Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation.  Both look so nice on my skin and don’t settle in my pores or lines.  I do need both of them in a darker shade, but I think they are nice, too!

Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer — This is one of the best concealers I have ever used!  It’s easily blendable and gives great coverage.  Plus it stays in place all day.  I do not have a runner up in 2019, because nothing compares.  Lets see if there’s a better one for me in 2020…

Urban Decay The Ultimate Brush Off Translucent Loose Setting Powder — I love the texture of this powder.  It sets under my eyes and all over my face flawlessly.  And it doesn’t sit in my pores and lines or look cakey.  I’m not a big fan of the packaging and hope they repackage it into a normal container without a brush.

Beauty Bakerie HD Flour Setting Powder is a close second.  I purchased it in the Spring Ulta 21 Days of Beauty and used it up in a few months.  I will be purchasing it again once I go through some powders I have.  It is light and doesn’t settle into pores.

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Essence Pure Nude Highlighter — This is an oldie but goodie!  I rediscovered this highlighter in 2019.  It can look soft and natural on or be built up to be blinding.  I do have a few other highlighters, but I don’t really love any other of mine right now.  I think I’ll try to find a perfect highlighter in 2020!

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara — What an amazing mascara! I alsways have the issue of my mascara smudging under my eye, even when I don’t put mascara on my lower lashes.  This is a tubing mascara, so it only comes off when I take it off with just water! Amazing! I also love the L’Oreal Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara.  It gives amazing length and builds up to be really voluminous.

Wander Beauty Frame Your Face Micro Brow Pencil — I got this in an Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I no longer get that box, but I’m happy I received this brow pencil!  It is the perfect consistancy for me, not too soft or too waxy. Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define is my runner up for brows.  It’s insanely pigmented, so a little goes a long way.  But it works so well on.  I love the micro pencils when doing my brows.

Pop Beauty Pout on Point Lip Liner — I have had this liner for a couple of years and it is almost out.  The color I have is Nude.  It’s not too creamy, so it stays on all day.  But it does glide on and blend like a dream!  I don’t have another lip liner I love as much, so I might have to make a Pop Beauty order soon.  I am always on the lookout for an amazing lip liner that doesn’t cost too much.

Iconic London Lip Gloss — I love this lip plumper!  The shade I have is Nearly Nude.  It’s lightly plumping and looks gorgeous over a lip liner or any lipstick. I don’t wear lipstick that much any more, usually just a lip liner with a gloss over it.  Although this is very nice, I am on the lookout for my perfect sheer gloss.  I need to use up ones I have before I will let myself try some more.

And now, my (probably controversial) fail for 2019:

L'Oreal Fresh Wear Foundation

L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation — Almost all reviews I saw for this last year were positive.  And there was a lot.  The only two reviews that weren’t as positive were ladies around my age that said it made them look like they were wearing foundation instead of just having beautiful skin.

For me, this foundation was just awful. It settled heavily in my pores and fine lines.  I tried so many different primers, serums and combinations of those to try not to look like a cakey mess when I wore it.  They didn’t work. Finally (before I gave it away), I had one day that I used an oil under it along with creams and primers, and it only looked slightly bad.  Almost passable.  LOL!  I gave it away after about 10 uses.

It was so sad because I was hoping to love it like so many others.  But I did find a perfect (for me) foundation, the Catrice one.

Did you try this foundation?  What did you think?

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I found so many amazing products in 2019!  I might have purchased too much, because I’m still working through them.  I still get BoxyCharm, BoxyLuxe and BoxCharm Premium, but I have got rid of my other subscriptions.  I am also going to try to purchase items I need in 2020.  And of course, a few I want.

Stay tuned for my skincare favorites of 2019 and I think I’m doing an annual Project Pan this year.

Shop My Stash — January 2020

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Hi all!  It’s time for my first Shop my Stash of 2020!

I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) color cosmetics that I either haven’t used in a while or haven’t used much at all! My goal is to get more use out of the products I have and to see if they are something I want to keep.

This month I have chosen two palettes that I have barely used and a blush, bronzer and lipstick that I just purchased in the Black Friday sales.  I usually don’t choose brand new (to me) products, but I really want to try these out.

Here are the palettes open:

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So many pretty shades to play with!  I have already used them today and loved playing with something I haven’t tried in a while.

Here are close ups of the products:IMG-2498

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Makeup Revolution The Emily Edit The Wants Palette— I purchased this in June of 2019 (on sale at Ulta), and I haven’t used it since summer.  Most of my palettes have less shades then this, so it’s a little intimidating when I open it.  I used it today and I kept adding different colors of shimmer on my lid (Cupcake, Top Story, Eve Rose and Pizzaz).  They do all work together, but I need to calm down and know that I can use some shades for other looks this month, lol!  Do you have that problem with larger palettes?

IMG-2499IMG-2500Urban Decay On The Run palette in Detour — This is such a pretty little palette. And the blues definitely give me winter vibes. I received this from Urban Decay in 2019 and am exited to play with it. The formula is gorgeous.

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Colourpop Pressed Powder Blush in Enchanted — This warm pink blush is so fresh and pretty on. It works so well with cool and warm looks. It’s a more matte blush, but that’s what I currently like.

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Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Sun Light — I also love matte bronzers.  This one is new to me and very light.  But, I can build it up and it’s so soft and natural on.  This is perfect for the winter when I am more fair.

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I wear lipgloss more than lipstick, but I have bought a few lipsticks last year that I need to use.  This is the MAC Lipstick in the Cremesheen formula.  The shade is Creme in Your Coffee— a creamy mid-tone pink brown.  I love hydrating lip formulas and this one is very nice.  I’m looking forward to using it!

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Here are swatches of the bronzer, lipstick and blush.

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I’m so exited for this month, and this year!  I’m hoping to use more of my stash, and purchase less.  I’m also doing a new series that I will be starting soon — I will be reviewing 20 of my palettes this year that I haven’t reviewed yet.  And I might do a Project Pan.  I’m still thinking about that.

Are you planning to use what you got this year — or is it spend, spend, spend (like I did last year)?  LOL!  Let me know!

Shop My Stash December 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All!  I’m back with my December Shop My Stash results!  I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

My rule with this is if I don’t like the item after the month, I will move it out of my collection to make some room and let someone else enjoy it! You can check out my first Shop My Stash post for December.

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I’ve had a lot of fun playing with these products this month!  And I have definitely decided to keep all of these products!

I usually wear a lip pencil and lip gloss everyday, but I do enjoy these lipsticks.  They are matte, so I wear a gloss over them.  They are very long wearing.

Here are the palettes open:

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The ABH Sultry palette was my favorite product in my stash this month.  I haven’t really used it much before this month.  I love it!  It’s so gorgeous.  All the looks I made with it have been every day looks with a touch of glam.  The shimmers/metallics take all looks to the next level!  I used most of the shades in this.

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I also used the Urban Decay Elements palette a few times in December.  I like this palette, especially the purples and bronzes.  I don’t really wear the blues, greens or the matte pink. The gold in this palette is so gorgeous!  I’m going to keep this for now, but if it takes me until next holiday season to use it again, I will pass it on to someone else.

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I used the highlighters in this Ofra x Madison Miller palette a lot. I would often forget to wear the blush, but when I did, I liked it.  It’s not my favorites shade, but it blends out nice and wears well.  The highlighters are so glowy!  I will keep this and see if I reach for it.

Now, on to my empties!

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I have a good amount of empties for December.  Mostly skincare as always.

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Out of these products, I can see myself repurchasing the Smashbox Primerizer (on sale) and the Ordinary Hyaluronic acid (when I am needing it).  I have other hydrating serums that I am using now.  The Primera water cream was nice, but I have a lot of moisturizers open and in my stash, so if I purchase it, it won’t be for a while.  The Meaningful Beauty SPF moisturizer is okay.  It’s a bit greasy and I’d like to find a less heavy sunscreen this year.

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I LOVE both of these mists.  The Skin & Co one is great for setting makeup and the Botanics mist is one I use after washing my face as a toner.  I’m not going to purchase new ones write now because I have lots of mists to use up.

The Primera essence is so lovely!  I may be repurchasing it.  I have been working on the Soap & Glory Righteous Butter for a long time!  I do like it, but don’t have to have it.  I’m using other body creams right now.


December was another successful Shop My Stash and I used up lots of good products!

I’ve decided I’m going to do the same style Shop My Stash this year.  From time to time I might add in some complexion products.  We’ll see.  I was thinking of doing a Project Pan, too.  But I’m not sure.  What do you think?  Do you shop your stash or do Project Pans?

November 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all! I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!    Can you believe the first of December is tomorrow?  The year is almost over!

Below are my beauty faves for November. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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I think this was the first time in months that I was loving more makeup than skincare!

Here’s the star of the month:

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The stunning Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Volume 1 palette.  I love this palette and have been enjoying it this month.  I definitely recommend this when it goes back in stock.  Plus, I’m excited for Tati’s next release whenever it comes out!

IMG-2199 I’m obsessed with all of these products!  For my makeup base each day, I use the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation in Rose Beige,  the Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer in No. 2 and the Urban Decay The Ultimate Brush Off Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

I love this combination!  They give a natural finish, which is my favorite! The foundation is gorgeous!  I will probably be reviewing that and the concealer soon.

The lipgloss is the Iconic London Lip Plumping Gloss in Nearly Nude. I received this in my October BoxyCharm and fell in love!  It’s lightly minty and plumping, but my favorite thing about it is the gorgeous nude shade.

I picked up the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define at the Ulta Faul 21 Days of Beauty Sale.  It’s such a popular product, but my first time trying it.  I have the shade 5, Warm Black Brown.  It might be a bit too dark for me, but I like it anyway!

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My favorite skincare this month are hydrating and refreshing!  On top is the Skinfood Peach Sake Toner.  It smells just like peaches and sake. I got this in the Ulta Fall Haul (the one with drugstore products on sale).  Yes, I shop at Ulta a lot!

The Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum is lovely!  I won it in a giveaway in September and have been using it ever since.  I still have a ton left because it’s a whopping 2.7 oz!  So much for a serum.  It’s light in texture and scent.

I just received the QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Care Cream in my November BoxyCharm Premium. It’s very hydrating which is perfect because with this cold weather, my eyelids are dry.  So weird, but I really love this cream to hydrate them.


So let’s bring on December!  I’m trying not to shop as much (yes a couple of small Black Friday hauls are coming LOL), so I don’t know what my favorites will be for this month…but that’s fun!

What have you been loving lately?

October 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all, Happy Halloween! Can you believe the first of November is tomorrow?  The year is almost over!

Below are my beauty faves for October. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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I was loving a fun mix of makeup and skincare this month!

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This is the NARS Makeup Your Mind Eye & Cheek Palette.  I reviewed it here.

I use this every day for my bronzer and blush.  I love the blendability and shades. I haven’t used the eye shadows as much because I have so many new palettes I’m trying out. They are very pretty, though!

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I have really been enjoying the essence Pure Nude Highlighter again.  I haven’t used it in a while, and I brought it out for my October Shop My Stash.  It can be subtle on, or built up to really shine! And it’s affordable, too.

IMG-1827 Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer in 015 Light is so nice!  I haven’t reviewed it yet because I’ve just started using it month.  I purchased it a few months ago, but the shade was too light for me in the summer. It’s very easy to blend and covers really well.  This really makes me want to purchase more Revlon makeup products!

I got the Kopari Lip Glossy in the Fall Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale, and it’s already almost gone!  It’s so smooth and hydrating.  I like to use it in the day and evening.  Definitely one I would repurchase again.

I wear my Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara over my Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer and my lashes look very long and don’t smudge!   The Thrive mascara is my favorite mascara discovery this year.  It’s so amazing!

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One of the skincare products this month I’ve been enjoying is the Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream.  I purchased this in the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale.  I use it as my day eye cream.  It instantly reduces dark circles.  It does have a bit of an orange tint to it, and maybe that’s why my eyes look so refreshed when I use it.

I am almost out of the Purlisse Blus Lotus Daily Moisturizer.  I got it in my August Ipsy Glam Bag Plus.  I’ve been using it every morning and really like how hydrating it is.  Plus, it has SPF 30!

I was sent Primera products for review, and have been using the Miracle Seed Essence after cleansing and toning.  It is a light hydrator and preps the skin for serum and other moisturizers.


That’s it for my October favorites.  Bring on November!  What have you been loving lately?

September 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all!  It’s almost October, which means it’s time for my September favorites!

Below are my beauty faves for September. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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My favorites this month include a good mix of makeup and skincare, plus a hair care item!

I’ve been trying out loads of new skincare the last few months and love to spotlight my favorites each month.  Plus, a few of these favorites are from subscription boxes.

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I received the Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum in my BoxyLuxe for September. I use it every morning after cleansing and toning.It really brightens my skin!

The Primera Alpine Berry Water Cream is so hydrating. 

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has made such a difference in my fine lines.

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I purchased the Smashbox Primerizer during the spring Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty. I didn’t want to wear it in the summer heat and humidity, but now that it’s cooler, I’m really enjoying this.  It smooths and hydrates the skin.  Perfect before foundation to create a moisturized base.

I also got the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Scents in Creamy Coconut in the Ulta’s Spring 21 Days. I only have about a third of this left.  I like the soft coconut set and it performs just like the original spray.

The IGK Hair Mistress Hydrating Balm was also included in my September BoxyLuxe.  This is a gorgeous balm that works to smooth damp or dry hair. I use this every day to tame my frizzies.

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The Wander Beauty Frame Your Face brow pencil was in my September Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. The shade is Dark Brown and it works well for me.  The pencil is a bit of a dry formula and takes a little pressure to use, but I like the effect I get with it.

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This pretty face palette is the Ofra x Madison Miller Miller Squad Midi Palette. I also received this in September Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. The blush is really nice for fall and I enjoy the highlighters, although they are very similar to each other.

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I’ve had the Sigma Beauty Enchanted Eyeshadow Palette for a couple of months.  I’ve posted about it on my Instagram (fortyflirtyfab), but I haven’t reviewed it here yet. I do plan on reviewing it soon.  It is unfortunately sold out on the Sigma Beauty website, but I have found it on Amazon here.

This is a stunning palette!  You can create ethereal or even very dramatic looks with it.  The shadows blend nicely.  Some of the shimmers need to be built up, but that’s fine with me.

———————————————————————————————————————————That’s my September favorites.  Bring on October! What have you been loving this month?

 

 

 

July 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all!  It’s almost August, which means it’s time for my July favorites!

Below are my beauty faves for July. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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Like last month, I don’t have a lot of color cosmetic favorites.  I’ve been really into trying out new skincare.

In my last month’s faves, four of the products were from my June BoxyLuxe.  It was such an amazing box! None of these products are from my July subscription boxes.  I did like some of my Ipsy Glam Bag Plus this month and  couple of Boxycharm products.  I am still testing them out, so maybe we’ll see them in my next month’s favorites.

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These have been my favorite skincare this month.  Two are from Skin&Co Roma.  I reviewed them here. The Whipped Cleansing Cream is amazing!  My skin instantly looks smoother after washing.  I’ve never had a cleanser improve the appearance of my skin before. I also love the serum.  It’s creamy and sinks right into the skin.  It also instantly hydrates and I love it!

You can purchase Skin&Co Roma items here, and by using my code LORENA20, you’ll get 20% off your purchase!  It is an affiliate code, so I will get something if you do buy!

I also reviewed the DHC Urumai Cream this month.   It’s a beautiful hydrating cream that I love to use at night.  It hydrates all night and when I wake up my skin is soft and glowing.

I purchased some The Ordinary skincare from Ulta a few weeks ago.  This is my first time trying products from this brand and I am enjoying them!  I’m especially loving the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. At first I thought it might be breaking me out, but it wasn’t.  It’s very hydrating, but a little sticky, so I apply it after toner and layer on other serums (like the Skin&Co Roma one above) so I don’t have sticky skin when I go to bed.  It really helps in hydrating and plumping up my skin.

IMG-1221 These products are a bit more makeup-y.  I purchased the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ in Creamy Coconut during the Ulta 21 Days of beauty spring sale this year.  I love purchasing staples like sprays. primers and powders during the sale.  This was half off!  I started using it when I ran out of my regular Fix+.  It works the same, it just has a soft coconut scent.

I got the NYX Pore Filler primer last year.  I just used up my Cover FX pore filling primer so I’m giving this a go. It works pretty well to fill in my pores.  I use a more hydrating primer, then this one in my t-zone.

My favorite recent purchase is the PÜR 4-In-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer. I haven’t reviewed this yet, but I might do a review soon.  Would you like to see that?  I can say that this foundation works so well for me.  It is full coverage, but melts into the skin and looks so natural on.  The shade I have is LP4.  It’s a little light for me now, because I have a bit of a tan, but will work will for fall and winter.

My Buxom Lip Creams are in my Shop My Stash for July.  This is the shade Hot Toddy.  I have been wearing them a lot, especially this shade.  They are so shiny and just a little bit tingley.

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Last but not least is a fun new palette.  My friend Angie gave me a gift card to Ulta for my birthday, and I picked this up!  It’s the  Tarte Unleashed Eyeshadow Palette.  I love the shades in these — the names are so fun!  And it smells amazing!


Have you tried any of these? What products have you been loving in July?

 

Summer Book Roundup

Hi all!  I hope you had a great weekend!  My daughter is in town this week, and we’ve been having fun!

I’m back with a book roundup.  I haven’t done one in a while.  I’m featuring a few books I have received to review.  They are all fun summer reads!

Little Lovely Things

Little Lovely Things — An unremarkable morning commute mutates into an unthinkable tragedy for one family, when Claire Rawlings makes an ordinary decision that results in disaster for her and everyone she loves.

A wife, mother, and soon-to-be-doctor in her final year of residency at University of Chicago hospital, in a race to drop her beloved daughters off at daycare and make it in time for rounds, Claire ignores the troubling signs of an allergic reaction. Finding herself speeding down the highway, on the brink of losing consciousness, she’s forced to pull over.

Moments later, she wakes up on the floor of a gas station bathroom.

Her car – and her girls – have vanished.

A deftly crafted page turner that is as heart-wrenching as it is bursting with life and love, the story of LITTLE LOVELY THINGS unfolds in four distinct voices: devastated yet strong-willed Claire; Moira, the Irish Traveler turned transient abductor who is thrust into instant motherhood; soulful Jay, a recovering alcoholic whose grisly discovery brings him to the center of the tragedy; and finally Andrea, the scrappy take-no-prisoners, wildly talented tomboy who knows only enough to know she doesn’t know the truth of her past.

With an action-packed plot, a deep well compassion for its characters, and thematic chords concerning the wisdom and power of nature, strength of the human spirit, and connectedness of us all, LITTLE LOVELY THINGS marks the arrival of a powerful new voice in the current contemporary fiction landscape in Maureen Joyce Connolly.

Radiant - Eat Your Way to Healthy Skin

Radiant – Eat Your Way to Healthy Skin — For more than 20 years, Hanna Sillitoe suffered from severe psoriasis, eczema and acne. They dominated her life and shattered her confidence. At times she even resorted to wrapping her skin in clingfilm to stop her clothes rubbing against her raw skin. When her doctor told her the only remaining treatment was chemotherapy, she started researching diet and skin, and ultimately changed her life, cutting out caffeine, alcohol, sugar, dairy and wheat, with dramatic results.

Now free from all skin complaints, Hanna is sharing her methods. Beginning with a juice cleanse, Hanna’s plan then moves on to a range of delicious, skin-loving meals including Turmeric and Ginger Chia Pudding, Immunity Ramen, Beet Burgers and even Clean Tiramisu. There is also a selection of homemade beauty products such as Avocado and Honey Facemask and Rosemary and Lemon Salt Scrub. Uplifting and inspiring for those who have been searching for an answer to their skin woes, Hanna’s programme is also suitable for people without specific complaints who just want to improve their overall health and complexion. A recipe for good health and clear skin, from the inside out.

The Big Book of Missouri Ghost Stories

The Big Book of Missouri Ghost Stories — Reader, beware! Turn these pages and enter the world of the paranormal, where ghosts and ghouls alike creep just out of sight. Author Troy Taylor shines a light in the dark corners of Missouri and scares those spirits out of hiding in this thrilling collection. From a headless ghost who stalks the aptly named “Murder Rocks”, to a large hairy monster that roams the banks of the Missouri River, there’s no shortage of bone-chilling tales to keep you up at night. It’s even rumored that the devil himself came to St. Louis in 1949, but nobody knows for sure if he ever left. Around the campfire or tucked away on a dark and stormy night, this big book of ghost stories is a hauntingly good read.

I live in Missouri, so this was a fun book to get!


What books are you enjoying this summer?  I’d love to know!

June 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi All!  June is almost over — we are halfway through 2019! That’s so crazy!  2019 is zipping by.

Here are my beauty faves for June. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

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I don’t have a lot of color cosmetic favorites.  I’ve been really into making my skin look flawless! Plus, four of the products are from my June BoxyLuxe — The Farmacy serum, the Skin&Co spray, Touch in Sol primer and the Dominique Cosmetics gloss.  It was such a great box this month!

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These products have helped my skin glow this month! The Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum has made my skin look smoother.  I use it a few times a week at night for resurfacing.

I use the the L&I Apothecary Rose Facial Toner in the morning and evening after I wash my face. It hydrates and makes my skin glow!

I love setting my makeup with the Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Radiant Dew Mist.  It gives a soft glow to the face and some extra skincare benefits while setting my makeup!

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I wasn’t sure about the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Prime Essence, but I really love it.  I apply it all over and let it set for a few minutes.  It helps my skin look smooth and it leaves it a bit tacky, which helps grip the foundation and make it last!

The Moroccanoil Treatment Original  was in my June Allure Beauty Box.  I haven’t tried it in years.  I forgot how nice it is.  It smooths my hair without making it greasy and it smells amazing!

I hadn’t tried anything form Dominique Cosmetics, and was excited to try the Dominique Cosmetics Lemonade Lip Gloss.  It’s so good!  It’s a really gorgeous peachy shade that I have been wearing all the time!  It’s so summery.  And the formula is hydrating, not sticky.

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Last but not least is this gorgeous eyeshadow palette!  It’s the Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette.  I’ve only had it for a couple of weeks.  It was a birthday gift to myself!

I had to put it in this roundup, because it’s been the palette I have been wanting to use!  The quality is so wonderful — it really is a luxe palette!


So that is my June favorites round ups!  What did you love in June?