August 2016 Favorites

Happy September! I am so happy for August to be over because that means PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES and colder weather.  As I click PUBLISH on this post, I literally have an iced Starbucks Double Shot with pumpkin spice syrup instead of classic in my hand.  I have a ton of favorites that I really want to share, so check out my picks below. 

Beauty

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin powder // Something drew me to purchase this powder when I was on a grocery run.  It has such a smooth, pigmented finish upon swatching, and keeps my oil in check when I use it to set my foundation. I really like concentrating it around my mouth and nose to keep my makeup in place.  This has been a great backup to my tried and true Lorac Porefection powder.  In the past I haven’t been able to find any drugstore powders that aren’t gross on me.

Urban Decay All Nighter foundation // This is a workhorse. It is probably the most full coverage foundation that I have ever tried, but without so much heaviness.  This is my oily skin’s dream because it does not budge. I have a wedding to go to coming up and I will definitely have this on so that my makeup lasts all night.

Dose of Colors Truffle // Favorite liquid lipstick color of all time- can’t believe I’m putting this in writing!

Loreal Voluminous Primer // White lash primers are such a throwback to middle school days of double ended mascaras.  I have been applying this lash primer to my brows as soon as I start my makeup so that by the time I get to brows, it has dried down clear. It plumps up the brow hairs and makes filling them in take less product.  It also keeps them in place like a brow gel would! Love this trick so much. Strangely I haven’t had luck with using it as a lash primer as it causes major clumps.

Sephora Collection Colorful Shadow & Liner pencils in 32 (matte white) and 24 (matte dark brown) // These are PIGMENTED. My nude liner pencils were getting pretty dingy so I am glad I picked these up after seeing Kylie use them on snapchat (her grwm routine was another favorite). They glide on and stay in my waterline through a full work day so they get my seal of approval. They come in a ton of fun colors too if that’s your thing.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle eau de parfum // Mature yet not granny, I am in LOVE with this scent. Perfumes have been a must for me in general lately. I spray one on as soon as I get out of the shower to always smell perfect.

MAC Kinda Sexy // Enough color to not look washed out, enough pale nude to make the MAC Myth lover in me happy.

House of Lashes Bambie // Love the doe eyed look these spacey lashes give.  These are only $9 and I get ~5 to 6 uses or more out of one pair.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mario palette sneak peek // Buying this when it launches this October! ABH kills it once again.  This is a neutral lover’s dream palette, and with their reputation, you know the formula will be fabulous.  Although I don’t like to admit it, I have plenty of warm eyeshadows. This one is more on the neutral side with some deep browns and olive green, so it is actually a step out of my comfort zone and unique addition to my collection. (My justification for buying it.)

NYX Butter Gloss in Madeleine // This got a new lease on life when I took off the little applicator cap to get more out when I thought mine was running out. Doing that yielded so much more gloss and made me happy so I had to put this product in my favorites.

Loving Tan 2 Hour Express // Bulletproof, best tanner of life. Fades so well, doesn’t give me the dreaded inner elbow lines, and can be applied the same day as a night out to get great color.

Lifestyle + Random

Etsy Jewelry// Pear/ teardrop jewels are my all time favorite shape.  I was searching for a piece that would be a dupe of HRH Collection who I talked about in my July Favorites. These are just like HRH  but at a fraction of the cost.  While I would love to support her brand, if the same thing comes for a lesser cost by another small shop, it makes more sense for my wallet.  Check out Stackable Sweets on Etsy.

Bath & Body Works Candles + Wallflowers // FALL SCENTS ARE OUT! I order once a year from B&BW because I prefer their fall candles to any season. If you order on the weekend they are typically 2 for $24, and just look online for more discount codes. I have gotten them down to $7 per candle with free shipping, way better than going in store. Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake and Autumn Day are next level.

White pumpkin decor // Americans are stereotyped to freak once a year about pumpkins, and I happen to really embrace that.  Since I was a baby (not exaggerating), I have been in love with pumpkin foods, and that love seems to just get stronger as I age.  Luckily for me, stores push out Halloween and fall decor way too early.  I like to have cute little white pumpkin home decor up all year round. Pier One has some super cute options.

Starbucks iced skinny cinnamon dolce latte w. coconut milk // I can’t take credit for discovering this.  Allie Sevdalis mentioned this in a vlog (but with soy) and I love it.  This drink tastes like a burnt marshmallow.  P.S. I want this: Starbucks Mug

Vans Slip On Mules // Last month I talked about admiring Gucci mules… I found the budget approved version that fits my lifestyle.

Look by Ali Freie // My ideal look for going to work is something that makes me look fresh and put together but without putting in much effort.  I happened to watch this video by Ali and thought it was such a perfect look for wearing everyday.  I love the simple approach and just letting the skin breathe by skipping foundation.  I love smaller Youtube channels.  She makes me miss living in my sorority house in college.  

It’s Not Okay by Andi Dorfman // I picked out this book out of curiousity when watching Bachelor in Paradise.  There has been a bunch of drama about how Josh has a controlling personality and bad temper, and I wanted to know more details.  I have read “I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends” by Courtney Robertson, which was a super juicy behind the scenes look at the making of The Bachelor.   Both of these books are major page turners if you want a good guilty pleasure read. The Audible versions are my favorite way to read them because the authors narrate.

That’s it! Let me know all about the things you have been loving the past month.  

-Kim