September 2016 Favorites

My first favorite is the fact that it summer is gone! I was so over August, and this month brought cloudy skies back to Portland.  Thank goodness. I’m looking forward to putting my summer clothes away for a long time and living in leggings and layers.

Ofra São Paulo // This color is the perfect coolish peach. Usually I look sick in peach lipsticks, but this one works!  Ofra’s formula is great, so definitely check this one out if you love nude lipsticks.

 

Stila Caramello // I rediscovered my love for this during my Go To Nude Lips post. It is a beautiful shade and I like the formula. I wore this to a football game (Go Beavs!) and it lasted all day.

 

Ardell 600 Wispies // These.

 

Christina Lashes #605 // These looked a little shrimpy online but I went for it anyway. I’m so happy with them!! They remind me of Koko Queen B lashes size and fullness wise.  They are SO cheap, and definitely not the least bit shrimpy.

 

Essie Gel Couture polishes // I was so intrigued by this formula because I do my own nails and they. Always. Chip.  I bought the color Hang up the Heels and the top coat that goes with it. I found that they really did last about five days longer than usual! They got a little dull/ not shiny kind of quickly, but that could have just been a coincidence.  I have been using the top coat with non- gel and non- Essie colors, and still loving the strengthened effect. My top nail color of the month has to be Sally Hansen Commander in Chic. I even painted my toes with it so I could stare at more often. If it gets there it is holy grail for me. Buy it.

 

MAC Face and Body foundation // I honestly love this foundation.  At the moment I am into foundations that keep my skin looking fresh. I want to look like I have glowy baby Kardashian North West/ Rob & Chyna expected child-like skin, not grandma cake face.  If I had to pick a foundation to go swimming in, this would be it.

 

LOREAL Infallible Setting Spray // I have been reaching for this over my Urban Decay All Nighter spray.  It works just as well in my opinion! I keep this one in my work bag to refresh my face throughout the day.

 

MUG In The Spotlight foiled eyeshadow // I love Makeup Geek matte eyeshadows, but only have a few of the foiled colors. I kind of forgot about In The Spotlight until this month. Paired with a deep warm crease, it gives a really pretty light peachy champagne shimmer to the lid. Someone asked if I had colored contacts in when I wore this (I didn’t!!) so I had to give it a shoutout.

 

It! Cosmetics foundation brush // Originally I bought this for contouring because it is the perfect size for creating a precise but well- blended line.  It’s double ended which is one of my favorite kind of brushes- two for one!  My Sigma F80 crapped out on me a few months ago and I hadn’t tried a new foundation brush since, opting to just use my damp sponge.  This It Cosmetics brush was sitting on my vanity just waiting for me to realize that, duh, it is a foundation brush.  I am obsessed with it and feel like it has given new life to all my foundations.  Instead of soaking into a sponge and giving me sheer coverage, all of a sudden all my foundations are looking perfect and well blended…. I still love my damp sponge for extra blending and patting in powders and setting spray, but I will be sticking to this brush for awhile.

 

Philosophy Purity Cleanser // I used up a bottle of this face wash this month and was without it for about a week before I found my backup bottle.  Going without made me realize how amazing this is for easily getting makeup off my face.  “You don’t know what you got til it’s gone!”  I like to buy this from Sephora’s sale in November to stock up.

 

Face moisturizer // I bought this at Target and am loving it. I apply this daily all over my face and hands to moisturize and protect with SPF.  It sinks in nicely.

 

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer // In my opinion, this is a high end quality product disguised in drugstore packaging.  I’m all for it because of the price.

Free People Rose shirt // Free People costs too much, and for some reason I want everything they sell lately.  I found something “worth” the money- this shirt is the perfect fit to go with leggings.  The material is extra soft, and it also looks super cute with ripped denim, a choker, and booties.  I splurged on this because I know that I will get hundreds of wears out of it.

Dupes // I humbly consider myself the queen of finding affordable dupes for fashion and beauty items.  Here are a couple of fashion dupes I found this month that I am extra proud of: Free People Maxi Dress copy from Amazon, FP sweater dupe from Express, Jeffrey Campbell booties copy from Amazon.

 

Poshmark // I discovered Poshmark a few months ago but have been utilizing it to clean out my makeup drawers a lot recently.  I am so happy I found an easy way to rehome my makeup that hasn’t been getting much attention to a more loving parent.

Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince // In October I’m going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, and needed a refresher. I chose this one out of the series just randomly, and have been loving it! If you haven’t listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks read by Jim Dale, you are missing out. He makes it so fun and is such a pro at all the voices of the characters. I listened on Audible at the gym, in traffic, and on walks.  “Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” – Dumbledore. (Love this quote!!)  Something about Harry Potter books/ movies and the fall time go hand in hand for me. I also finished (non audiobook) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It is an awesome addition to the series.

 

Bachelor in Paradise // I was so sad to see this show end at the beginning of September.  Carly and Evan are the cutest couple!  I’m not sure yet how I feel about who they picked to be the next Bachelor, but I’m looking forward to January for the new season. If anyone knows how to watch past seasons online or Hulu or something, please let me know.  I’m trying to get my Bachelor/ Bachelorette fix year round.

 

Rob & Chyna on E! // I was skeptical about how much I would like this show since I’m not the biggest Blac Chyna fan, but it is another great way to get my fill of Kardashian/ Jenner drama. I really have been enjoying it.

Jamie Genevieve // I wanted to mention this beauty Youtuber and Instagramer because her makeup has been so inspiring to me lately. I can’t get enough of her smokey looks!! Check out her Instagram and you’ll be hooked too.

 

Autumn Day Bath & Body Works // This scent is my ultra- favorite of all the scents B&BW offers.  It is very cedar-y which I LOVE.  It is crisp and clean, with spicy faint cologne undertones and reminds me of my college days for some reason.  Anything that makes me nostalgic to happy times is definitely a favorite. 😀  It is described as “crisp red apple, green fig, white birch, cedar.”  This scent was out a few years ago, was gone last year, and now thankfully is back. I think it was tweaked a little from the original formula I loved, and doesn’t throw scent as strongly anymore sadly, but hopefully B&BW can fix that in next year’s batch since many other people have complained about it as well.

 

K Cups: Folgers Caramel Drizzle , Donut Shop Nutty Caramel // This month I gave up Starbucks until October 15th to try to cut down on sugar before I have to be a bridesmaid next month.  My wallet is thanking me. I turned to Keurigs to get my coffee fix at work because this has not been easy and these two flavors are my favorite! If you have any good k cup favorites, please share.

 

That’s all my favorites for the best month of the year so far imo! Please let me know what you have been loving in the comments below.

-Kim