July 2016 Favorites | KIMANDMAKEUP

Bye July!  July is my birthday month so I have some fabulous gifts that have become instant favorites.  I have been getting excited for fall, so July being over means I’m one month closer to getting back into leggings and pumpkin spice everything at my local grocery store.  Here are my July makeup and lifestyle favorites:

It! Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Foundation // This excellent foundation has been treating me well for about three years now.  Full to medium coverage, skin benefits, beautiful on the skin, not too drying, not too radiant, and a lightweight feel.  My perfect shade is Light, but I just ran out so I mix one part Fair, one part Tan to make a custom shade.  Monday through Friday I switch up the foundations I use in my daily makeup, but this is what I reach for the very most.  This is a must have for me and I highly recommend it for every skin type. I guarantee that you will absolutely fall in love with this.

Lancôme ‘Absolue’ Powder Radiant Smoothing Powder // I took the bait on this Jaclyn Hill recommended powder when I had a Nordstrom gift card.  The shade Absolute Golden is a tinted shimmery powder.  I am the greasiest human I personally know, so if you think that a shimmery powder isn’t for you and you are a fellow oily skin person, don’t write it off just yet.  This powder is unlike any other product I have.  You know how setting sprays take away the powdery cakey look when you finish off your makeup?  This does that.  Dust it all over to seamlessly blend everything together, lightly dust it right after you finish your complexion with a radiant glow, or concentrate a small amount on cheekbones for a subtle highlight.  It does not look like a powder on the skin, but more like a magic makeup fairy dust filter.

 

Guerlain Terracota Bronzing Powder // Another birthday gift card purchase.  I never thought I would purchase a $53 bronzer, but here I am.  I had to have this when I saw that the shade 07 looks very similar to Bobbi Brown Camel, the most amazing sandy orangey brown eyeshadow of all time.  Having that tan all over my face?  Yas.  

Tarte Grav3yardGirl Swamp Queen Palette // I didn’t think I needed this palette until I swatched it in Ulta.  The shimmers and mattes were so buttery when I dipped my fingers in.  There was only one palette left on the shelf so I knew it was destined to be mine.  This is the only eye shadow and highlight that I brought with me on a vacation this summer, and it turned out to be all I needed.  The colors have a ton of fall out, but I don’t even mind.  I thought Tarte shadows were a bust because I had only tried them in my Tartelette palette (not a fan) but these are completely different.  Bunny did an amazing job on this collaboration and it is now one of my all time favorite palettes I own.

 

Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Instant Perfecting Power Primer // Holy shit this stuff is magic. Primers are BLAH to me… I put them on and hope that they do something, not expecting much. When I applied this under my Clinique Beyond Perfecting foundation, I had the same expectations in mind.  After walking around in muggy hot Portland weather at the Saturday market and drinking in the sun for the majority of the day, I was scared to look in the mirror when I got home.  Usually at this point my face is a melty oily patchy mess, but it was like I had just applied my face makeup.   Pinch me!

Kylie Cosmetics Literally Gloss // One of my best friends that loves makeup and the Kardashians just as much as I do gave me this for my birthday.  All my other glosses are light pinkish nudes, but this one is more like a medium tan.   This LITERALLY (hehe) makes my skin look tanner and wakes up my face- even if I only have a light work day face of powder and concealer on.

 

Atelier Cologne Collection Azul Cedre Atlas // This perfume came as a sample in a Sephora order I placed.  I am weak and bought the full size.  You know that amazing scent of cedar planks of wood when you are in Home Depot?  This is that smell captured in a bottle in a manly yet feminine form. Cedarwood essential oil helping relaxation and tension relief is apparently a thing, and I definitely get that when I take a whiff of this.  

HRH Collection // I discovered this YouTuber after hearing a lot about her crystal chain jewelry.  She is hilarious and unique without trying to be, and is the only vlogger that I can stand to watch doing nothing all day.  Watching her channel makes me feel like I am hanging out with a friend I have known for a long time.  She is raw and honest and has cute style, so I have now binge-watched all of her recent videos.

 

Dove Deodorant Spray // Alexandra from HRH Collection introduced me to this product.  It makes putting on deodorant weirdly fun and hassle free.  I’m weird but I have been wanting to try it on my face for those random days where I have to be outside with a full face of makeup. I have always said that there needs to be dry shampoo for the face available… I’ll keep you posted on whether I am brave enough to try that.

 

Iced Starbucks Double Shot, only 2 pumps of caramel to sweeten, and two extra shots // This is my ultimate caffeinated beverage.  If you have time before work, try getting this.  It makes me ultra productive and tastes delish.

Adidas Superstars // These shoes go with dresses, shorts, jeans, leggings, and everything in between. They are so comfortable that I basically have to force myself to not wear them to work everyday.  They are great for all seasons, and worth every penny.  I used to have a pair in middle school with pink camo stripes, so these also bring back good, less- camouflage memories for me now.

 

ASOS High Waist Bikini Bottom // Mid- July I went to Palm Springs for an amazing friend’s bachelorette party.  The temperature was over 100 everyday, so we were basically in the pool the entire trip.  I have extra weight on my bod that I would love to get rid of, but while I wait for that to happen, I bought this swimsuit.  When I think of full coverage suits, my grandma comes to mind. This one is still super cute with the lace up detail and definitely non- matronly.  This bikini made me feel confident in a swimsuit, while still letting me mix and match other bikini tops that I own.  

Gucci Furry Loafers //  I can’t afford these, let alone pull them off or have anywhere to wear them.  Lately I have seen these all over Instagram, and am in love with them! They won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I am hoping that Forever 21, Target, or H&M comes out with a knockoff (with faux fur!) so that I can pretend to be bougie in some of my own one day.  Otherwise, I am thinking these might be a more realistic alternative option: Shearling Birkenstock

Nordstrom Sale // I am not sure how this year is the first time that I have checked out items from the Nordstrom sale, but I definitely took advantage of it this year.  The sale has some amazing deals on fall clothes. I bought too many burgundy, burnt orange, and olive colored items that I plan on wearing to death this year.

The Bachelorette on ABC // This may be one of my favorite seasons ever. Joelle/ JoJo is one of the most perfect- looking people I have ever seen.  I was rooting for Luke, but now Jordan better win or I will be annoyed at her.   Once I post this, the show will be over sadly. Can Luke or Chase be the next Bachelor?  Very excited for Bachelor in Paradise to start later this month.  P.S.: Die Chad.

Big Brother on CBS // Paulie should win.  He is somehow running the house and isn’t a target?!  Watching Big Brother has become a major summer tradition for me every year.  If you would like to talk Big Bro strategy with me, please feel free to comment anytime (but I watch a day late each week on CBS.com so no spoilers please). 

That’s all I’ve got! Favorites are the most fun posts for me to write up and read from other bloggers.  If you try out anything I mentioned here, let me know how it goes and thank you for reading.  🙂

-Kim