January Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
I received this in my Sephora Play! Box this month. I was really afraid this was going to be a very dark, vampy shade. But it's actually more of a tinted balm. It's a beautiful berry shade. It's really easy to apply on-the-go. I've been wearing this almost every day since I received it!

December Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

ColourPop Smoke n Whistles Cheek Shock Highlighter
I've owned this for awhile but I recently started reaching for it more around the holidays. This highlighter is SO shimmery. It's beautiful but I feel like it's too much for everyday wear. I like wearing it for night outings and special occasions. The texture is really neat - a bouncy cream that dries to a shimmery powder. If you want an extra shimmery highlighter, this is for you!

November Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Chella Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Color Pencil
I received this in my Birchbox. I assumed this was a sample - but it's actually full size; the product size is equivalent to ABH Brow Wiz. This taupe color matches me surprisingly well. The tiny, precise point is so easy to work with. I've been reaching for this over NYX Microbrow and ABH Brow Wiz.

CocoLuxe Organic Coconut Oil Squeeze Tube
I went on a cruise the week of Thanksgiving. I knew coconut oil had to come with me, but I had no idea how to safely travel with it. After a quick Google search, I discovered CocoLuxe. I'll admit $11.99 for 3.4oz is a total rip-off; (I'm used to purchasing 16oz for under $9.) The convenience of the squeeze tube and knowing it wasn't going to leak all in my suitcase was totally worth the price. (You can buy it here.)

October Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

ColourPop Smoke N Whistles Super Shock Cheek
This formula is so unique - it's sort of bouncy; it's somewhat cream-like but dries to a powder. I really like how shimmery this highlight is. On the downside, the color is slightly too dark for me, I'll probably be back for a few more colors soon.

Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket Mascara
This is hands-down my favorite mascara of all-time. I strayed away from it for awhile (to use up some high-end beauty box samples). Every time I open a new tube, I can't believe I took a break from it.

September Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

August Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

July Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

ELF Shape & Stay Brow Pencil
I mentioned this back in my March Favorites. I've still been really liking this product and using it almost daily. I've been growing out my brows, so instead of constantly plucking them, I've been relying on this to shape my brows.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator
I've been wanting a cream highlighter for awhile. When I found this in my PO box, I was over the moon. Most highlighters have a pink or orange undertone that doesn't really work for me. Luckily, this one is more of a pearly-yellow. I finally discovered the best way to apply this is just with your fingers; it melts onto the skin and gives a beautiful glow that stays almost all day long. (Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.) 

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara
I received this in my July Birchbox. "Great, another mascara sample." was my first thought. But come to find out, I really like this mascara. It lengthens and curls, as it claims. If you're a fan of Benefit's Rollerlash, you'll really like this, as well.

Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm
In July, I started Invisalign - which means I had to say goodbye to most of my (tinted & glossy) lip products. (The clear trays stain really easily.) I resorted to an oldy but goody - this balm. I went and purchased a few more. This balm is now everywhere I need it: my purse, desk, and nightstand.

Ouai Wave Spray
I received this in my July Sephora Play! box. (For whatever reason, it arrived without a label.) This spray is great - it's lightweight and adds a lot of texture to get the beachy waves look. I really like the fresh scent, as well.

brow wax & wave spray,
-Kaitlyn

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June Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Batiste Strength & Shine Dry Shampoo
Target didn't have the Fresh scent that I really liked. So I purchased this scent on a whim; it's equally as good. Batiste shampoos work great at absorbing all oil and don't make your hair weighed down. I don't feel like this product adds loads of shine, as it claims. But I do really like the clean scent and fresh feel.

Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium
I tried out Gimme Brow in Light and Dark over a year ago. Dark was too dark; light worked but needed to be a tad bit darker. I'm so glad Benefit finally came out with more shades in all of their brow products! Medium is exactly the shade I've been looking for. I've been very into minimal makeup lately, so this 2-in-1 (tamer & filler) tinted brow gel has been getting a lot of use! (Birchbox sample is photographed - the full size is slightly larger.)

Glossier Cherry Balm Dotcom Salve
I've been using Coconut Balm Dotcom for a few months. Glossier recently released a bunch of new scents, I liked the coconut one so much, I also bought it in cherry. The cherry balm smells like childhood - Lip Smackers. Unlike the coconut one, the cherry balm has slight coloring that gives the lips a beautiful rosy tint.

Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner
I've been having a lot of skin issues lately - like redness, bumps, and acne. A few different YouTubers raved about this. So I decided to give it a try. I've been applying this toner before bed all month and I've noticed my skin evening out again. It makes my skin feel very refreshed and clean.

shiny hair & cherry lips,
-Kaitlyn

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May Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Clarins Deodorant 
I never dreamed I would spend $19 on a deodorant, but it was well-worth it! This deodorant works great, smells nice (it reminds me of the plain Olay face lotion), and it doesn't leave any stains or residue in my clothes. 

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser 
I finally made a Glossier order! Firstly, I really like how Glossier is beauty blogger who made her own brand. I like how their products are cruelty-free and made in the USA. I really like how they're all about simplicity and the no-makeup-makeup look. 

I've starting double (triple?) cleansing - I'll get off most of my eye makeup with Bioderma, use some type of makeup wipe, then go over my whole face with this cleanser and water. My face feels so much cleaner. I like how you can use this with OR without water. The name is appropriate - it does feel like a milky-jelly cleanser. 

Glossier Coconut Balm Dot Calm
I do like this product - the primary ingredients are petroleum jelly and lanolin. I feel like you could get similar results with cheaper drugstore products. But I do like the extra oils, cute tube, and coconut scent. I liked this so much I ordered the Cherry scent just days ago. 

NYX Tame & Flame Pomade in Brunette 
My brows aren't doing so well right now; I'm trying really hard to let them grow out. This pomade helps a ton to fill in sparse areas and just look overall more presentable. If you want bolder brows, this gel-like paint is definitely the solution. 

Sinful Colors Vacation Time
I've been wanting a nude-pink-brown-mauve nail polish for awhile. I saw Tom Ford Mink Brule in an ad - it was the color I've been looking for. But I refuse to spend $35 on nail polish. That lead me to hunt for a dupe - I discovered OPI Java Mauve-A was pretty close. The shade had been discontinued and was selling for anywhere from $12 to $25 on eBay and Amazon. ($10 is my limit for OPI.) I was about to give up until I discovered a blog post that stated Sinful Colors Vacation Time was a dupe for Java Mauve-A... I immediately ran to Walgreens to purchase it. It was a lot of research and work, but I'm happy with this mauve shade for only $2! 

coconut lips & mauve nails,
-Kaitlyn 

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April Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
This has been the best moisturizer I've tried to date. It's pricey at $39, but I think it's well worth it - especially if you spend Birchbox points on it. This moisturizer feels and smells so amazing. It's great on my normal-to-dry skin.

L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Tube 
These ponytail holders are like acceptable (modern day) scrunchies. They keep my thick hair in-place without damaging my hair or leaving major creases. I received my first one in my Birchbox nearly a year ago. I panicked whenever it became a cat toy and decided to finally own more than one.

MAC Whirl Matte Lipstick
I've been eyeing this MAC lipstick for awhile. I gave one away in April, and I got one for myself to celebrate my blog turning six! This brown/mauve/my-lips-but-better shade would work on all skin types. I like applying a light sweep - it's build-able, too! I love the feel and smell of MAC lipsticks. It's been awhile since I've had a fresh tube!

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
This is an excellent night time lip balm. This balm is very thick - but in a good way. It has a pleasant orange scent. I've already finished one pot in my last empties post. I decided to go ahead and purchase another. My first pot was $19, I'm happy to see the lowered the price to $15. (You can get this 20% off during beauty.com's upcoming Friends & Family sale.)

modern day scrunchies and orange lips,
-Kaitlyn

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March Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Spring always motivates me to try more new products and take even better care of my skin. I discovered a few great products this month:

ELF Shape & Stay Wax Brow Pencil
I purchased this on a total whim. I've been using brow gels for the past few years; I've never tried a wax pencil... I was missing out. This twist-up wax pencil is an excellent product for only $2. I'll brush my brows, run the wax pencil over them, then fill them in. I've noticed I'm using a lot less brow product now, too. This wax pencil doesn't necessary glue your brows like the gel; it comfortably keeps them in place.

Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Honey Dip
Rock'n'Rose was my HG shade. I grabbed the shade Honey Dip during a Cyber Monday sale. I've been wearing this lip liner all month. It's slightly more natural looking than Rock'n'Rose. All of the Jordana liners are great for under $3. I really like how they're retractable, some higher-end liners still don't have that feature.

Nivea Invisible Roll on Deodorant
(WHY are Nivea deodorants not sold in the USA? I feel a little weird ordering deodorant online.) I really like the Pearl & Beauty deodorant. I decided to try out this one. Clinical deodorants work best for me but I'm really tired of them ruining all of my clothes. I switched to roll-on a few months ago, I find I have to apply it a few times a day but my clothes are in excellent shape - I guess it's a trade-off. This Invisible Black & White Deodorant smells a lot like fresh laundry/Woolite, which I'm definitely a fan of. I don't agree with the 48-hour claim, but I think it's a nice product.

Wet n Wild 1 Step Gel Nail Polish
I've turned into a nail polish snob... I've always thought drugstore nail polishes weren't all that. I prefer to purchase Zoya or OPI. Some Youtubers were raving about these 1 step gel polishes. I was intrigued and decided to give them a try. I purchased Left Marooned and Power Outage for 40% off at Rite Aid. After using them only twice, I really like them. They last just as long as my OPI/Zoya polishes.

Yes to Coconut Body Scrub
I've been on a coconut product kick lately. This scrub is meant to be used on dry skin. (This was a new concept to me; my past scrubs required water.) This scrub is very scratchy in a good way. It rinses away and doesn't leave any residue in the bath tub. My skin was left feeling so clean, soft, and refreshed.

wax pencils & Woolite deodorant,
-Kaitlyn

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February Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Colour Pop Lumière Lippie Stick & Pencil
NARS Anna has been on my wishlist for the longest time, but I still can't justify spending so much on a lipstick. Lumière was supposed to be an exact color dupe, so I decided to try it out first. I'm extremely happy with the shade... a purplish-my-lips-but-better color. I'm a little bummed the pencil isn't twistable. Like most matte products, the Lippie Stick formula is slightly drying. I've been wearing either/both of these most of the month. Nonetheless, I still want to get my hands on NARS Anna.

InterDesign Vanity Organizer 
I was aimlessly shopping in TJ Maxx and found this vanity organizer for under $5! My old acrylic tray tray wouldn't fit in my new Ikea Alex drawers, so I've been wanting a new storage solution. I tried making my own dividers and using plastic drawer dividers... neither worked that well. I'm so happy I found this! It has two medium-sized compartments and three small round compartments - excellent for mascaras and concealers. The textured rain design on the bottom is nice a touch; everything in my drawer stays in place now:

NYX HD Concealer in Fair
My old concealers were no longer matching my pale winter skin... I purchased five concealers this month. This NYX one was by far my favorite. (I returned the other four.) It has a hint of orange to combat dark circles, it hides all blemishes, and it doesn't cake.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Brunette
I FINALLY discovered a cheaper dupe for Anastasia Brow Wiz. (Hallelujah!) This NYX pencil is identical to Anatasia... the packaging, the shape, the brush, the size. (The main difference is the cost: Anastasia retails for $21 while NYX retails for $9.99.) The NYX shade range is a little wonky; I originally purchased Chocolate (way too red) and exchanged it for Brunette. The NYX formula is slightly less waxy - which I actually like more, it's easier to blend.

affordable dupes,
-Kaitlyn

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December Favorites

Favorites posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. I feel like I'm cheating a bit, I had two of these products only half the month of December but they quickly became my daily go-tos.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Fresh 
I tried the original formula of Batiste years ago; I didn't really care for it. I decided to try Batiste again, and I'm glad I did. I purchased the scents Sassy (which really reminds me of Tyler Candle's Diva fragrance) and Fresh. Both leave the same results but I like the way Fresh smells a whole lot better. The scent is like fresh laundry mixed with a hint of salon. It's weird - but I like it. The spray comes out and immediately leaves a white residue but I just rub it in or brush it out. This dry shampoo absorbs oil super quick and adds texture. I typically wash my hair every three days; with this product, I've been pushing four or five days.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O w/ Pump
I tried a sample of Bioderma towards the beginning of the year. I really liked it but just didn't want to pay that much for makeup remover. (I tried the Simple Micellar Water, which was effective - but no where near as good. Recently, the Garnier Micellar Water is all over the place. I haven't tried that Brand yet - but I plan to.) Beautylish had a Black Friday deal on Bioderma - buy two get one free + free shipping. So I finally pulled the trigger. (Side note: it arrived in the cutest packaging with a hand written letter.) It has a pump! Pumps make all the difference in the world late at night when you're feeling extra lazy/tired but must take off your makeup. Best of all, it's fragrance-free. Bioderma is so effective at removing every bit of eye makeup - even stubborn mascara. Occasionally, I also use this as a toner.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara*
I'm not going to lie, I'm a drugstore mascara girl at heart. I enjoy sampling high-end mascaras from time to time; this was no exception. This mascara provides a TON of volume. I really like applying a thick layer, letting it dry, combing it with a metal lash comb, then applying another thin layer - it looks like I'm wearing false lashes. (I don't have the time or patience for those.) The mascara doesn't flake or clump and it comes off pretty easy with micellar water. Disclosure: I received this product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

laundry hair & major lashes,
-Kaitlyn

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New Desk/Vanity

First Impressions/Review: Ikea Alex Drawers & Linnmon Table TopIn November, I had the chance to visit Ikea for the first time. I quickly knew it was time for a desk upgrade. I've been eyeing the Alex 9 Drawer unit for way too long. (And even fake checked-out online; I immediately X-ed out when I saw the shipping charges.) About a week before the trip, I had a change of heart and decided to get two of the Alex Drawer Units instead.

I knew I wanted the high-gloss Linnmon Table Top to avoid makeup stains and for easy-clean. I continuously debated if I want the 47.5 inch or 59 inch table top. (Even while in the store, it took me 30 minutes to decide.) I finally went with the 59 inch. Simply because it was a lot more desk/surface for only $11 more.

My old set up was a mix-match of old apartment furniture: Bed Bath & Beyond Z-Carts topped with half of a Wal-Mart parsons desk. It did the job but it wasn't sturdy, or all that pretty to look at. I didn't have foot space. Not to mention, all of my other shelves/furniture are white. (For the record, my old table top was around 30 inches.)

When we got home and set the new Ikea furniture up, I immediately thought it was way too big for me. I loved the look and drawer space, but I felt like I should've gotten the 47.5 inch top. I immediately purchased the ClosetMaid Stackable Storage Organizer to take up the back corner of my desk. (And give more storage space for bottles and other items I didn't want in drawers.)

Fast forward to weeks later, now - I'm really happy with the whole desk and the 59 inch top. 1.) I have foot space. 2.) I can hide my printer and trash can under the desk. 3.) The extra width of the table top allows room for cords behind the desk. 4.) I have so much work/surface space!

I'm incredibly happy with the drawers. My old drawers were deep and not very long. The Alex drawers are shallow and around 20 inches long. So much stuff can fit in these! In one unit, I have all of my makeup, samples, and hair accessories/tools. In the other, I have office and shipping supplies. I lined the bottom with shelf liner and used foam board to make drawer dividers. Getting the drawer dividers exactly how I want them is a work in progress. So far, I'm pretty happy with these two:

I do feel a little guilty for spending nearly $250 on myself so close to Christmas, but I know I'll have this set up for years to come. I definitely recommended the Alex drawers and Linnmon top.

desk drawers & table tops,
-Kaitlyn

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November Favorites

Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara + Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
Both of these mascaras are good/okay are on their own. I really like layering these two together to get very black voluminous lashes - with no clumping!

Jordana Rock n' Rose Liner + Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor
As mentioned last month, I'm still really liking Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor. My daily lip combination has been Jordana Rock n' Rose Lip Liner (I finished up two of these in November!) topped with Hello Sailor.

black lashes & blue lipstick,
-Kaitlyn

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October Favorites

Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. October was all about lip products.

Handmade Lip Balms
I've purged my lip balm collection. Most of the drugstore and chemical-y stuff ended up in the trash. Lately, I've been loving handmade lip balms. They tingle in a good way and don't cause irritation. All month I've been using Apothecary Fairy Peppermint Tea Tree Medicated Lip Salve* (This was gifted to me.) As well as Margarita! and Peppermint Lemongrass Lip Lotions from Kettlepot Soap.

Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor
This has been on my wishlist ever since Birchbox mentioned it on their YouTube channel over a year ago. I finally purchased Hello Sailor as a birthday present to myself! It looks like a scary royal blue in the tube, but it goes on as a sheer purple tint. It makes your teeth appear whiter and brighter. It's somewhat hydrating. I've especially been liking this lipstick over mauve lipliners. It leaves a nice shine but doesn't feel sticky. My only complaint is the taste/smell; it's not unbearable but it isn't pleasant either. It reminds me of some 'play makeup' from my childhood/preteen days.

lip balms & blue lipstick,
-Kaitlyn

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September Favorites

Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. Here are my belated September favorites -

Caudalie Skincare
I've been loving all things Caudalie lately. All of their skincare products feel and smell amazing!

NYX Stay Matte Not Flat Powder Foundation
My Revlon pressed powder broke. I heard a few YouTubers raving about this NYX powder. I decided to give it a try - so far, I'm really impressed. It gets rid of shine and sets concealer really nicely. It doesn't leave a powdery or cakey look.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
The Naked 2 Palette is by far my favorite. In September, I've been gravitating towards the Naked 3 Palette - this palette really screams 'it's fall' to me. Most of the colors really make my green eyes pop, too!

powders & palettes,
-Kaitlyn

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Review: YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector & Primer*

I was beyond excited to find a YSL package in my PO box a few weeks ago. High-end/luxury products just aren't in my budget, so getting the opportunity to test new products from YSL was exciting! Both of the products - the primer and perfector - promise to extend the life of your make-up. Over the course of a week weeks, I tested both products.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer
The full size is 1 oz and retails for $52. (I received a deluxe/trial size .33 oz.) 

I was a little worried when I saw the gold flakes in this primer. A glitter face is the last thing I want to 'blur' my imperfections and be under my makeup. Surprisingly, you do not see the gold flakes when applied. This primer feels heavy and really silky at first. It takes a few minutes to really sink in and dry/mattify. When I was in a hurry, I found this annoying. It did make my skin feel good and soft. It also made some of my pores less noticeable. Unfortunately, I didn't notice my makeup staying on any longer. (I'm in the southern heat, I'm not sure if that's why.)

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector
The full size is 0.33 oz and retails for $55. (I received a full size.)
The packaging is beautiful. The compact feels sturdy and snaps together nicely. The perfector comes with a cloth/velour sponge. The sponge doesn't fit in the compact, nor is there storage space for the sponge. I found this annoying - how am I supposed to store and travel with the sponge while protecting it? The balm is slightly sticky but silky at the same time - the sponge left cloth partials/lint in the balm - I also found this annoying and decided just to apply it with my fingers. The balm is a tinted rose color. I was a little worried at first since my skin is more yellow-toned. Luckily, it goes on clear; there's no color pay off.

On the first few days of testing, I used on this on my bare skin - it made my skin feel good and soft and somewhat evened out my skin tone. However, it didn't 'blur' redness. Next, I tried it under my makeup (concealer and powder) - that was a poor decision... my makeup looked flakey. It made my dry skin look drier. Next, I used it over my makeup - as a setting powder. I blotted it all over with my fingers; I noticed fine lines that I never really notice. The best use I found for the Blur Perfector is using it as a brow gel to keep my brows in place. While that's not what's made for, I found it being the most effective for this task. I do not like heavy brow gels; this balm has just enough of the sticky feeling to keep hairs in place.

Bottom Line: After seeing so many raving reviews, I'm really sad to say these products just didn't work with my normal-to-dry skin and current, minimal, makeup routine. I didn't notice a major difference in my skin while using these products. While they're good ideas and somewhat effective, I do not think the price tag matches the results. The primer is potentially worth looking into. In my opinion, the blur perfector is an unneeded extra step. I will not purchase these in the future.

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

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July Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Joico K-Pak Conditioner
This is my holy grail conditioner. I feel like I can use the most horrible shampoo in the world and this conditioner will still make my hair feel, look, and smell great. I always purchase the liter size online just because it's more cost effective for my long hair. Not to mention, a salon pump makes everything SO much easier! I finished a liter of this a few months ago. Since then, I've been using beauty box conditioner samples to switch things up and quit hoarding products. After taking a break from K-Pak and using it again, I noticed an immediate and huge difference in my hair. I can't recommend this enough. 

OPI Nail Polish in Coca-Cola Red
This is truly a coke can shade in a nail polish bottle. It's the most perfect red. I've been wearing it on my toes all month. 

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
It's been a LONG time since I've purchased a makeup brush. My Sonia Kashuk Angled Brush that I purchased YEARS ago was starting to shed, so I needed a new bronzer brush. I've been loving my Real Techniques Blush Brush, so I figured I'd try another one from the brand. This sculpting brush is really dense, so it's great at applying product AND blending it out. I've been using this brush daily for bronzer and I'm really impressed. Not to mention, I got an awesome deal on the brush (I used a 20% off Ulta coupon, $2 off Manufacturer coupon - from the Walmart Beauty Box, and a $1.50 Ibotta rebate.) I got this brush for just under $5 - which makes me like it even more!

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume
I've purchased this perfume twice and have taken it back because it just didn't work with my body chemistry. By the end of the day, it smelled powdery and old lady. I love the way it smells in the air or on the sample paper. Recently, I received some samples in a swap. I decided to give a try once more - this time, I'm only spraying it on my clothes. Which is weird, but my body chemistry doesn't interfere and it smells the same way (like it should) all day long. I really like the floral notes combined with patchouli that leaves a spicy scent. I've been wearing this almost all month. I like it almost as much as I like Stella by Stella McCartney - that's saying a lot. 

pumps & patchouli,
-Kaitlyn

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June Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

The ridiculous southern heat index has made me pretty unmotivated when it comes to makeup. In turn, my June favorites is going up super late this month. Better late than never, right? I really like looking back at my past monthly favorites - I haven't skipped a month yet! 

Lately, I only wear a lot of makeup about once a week. Most days, it's very minimal or none at all. My skin is doing pretty good, regardless of the heat. I've been drinking lots of water and really just giving my skin a break. These have been my go-to products lately:

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium*
I've had this little tube for months. It's still going strong! At first, I thought this tube was a sample - nope, it's full size! The small wand is perfect for filling in and setting at the same time. On days I don't feel like messing with a pencil, this is always a must-use. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
I purchased this in a Caudalie gift set a LONG time ago. I just didn't understand or get the hype of this product. But recently, it's becoming an excellent product to use when I need a face/skin pick-me-up. I use it on a bare face or over light makeup - multiple times a day.

Origins Vitazing SPF15 Sheer Release Tint
This has been my go-to for years. It's pricey, but it lasts 3-4 months. I use a small amount daily. It does a pretty good job at evening out my skin tone with the release tint. The product comes out of the bottle gray but ends up a nude/tan shade - it's magic. It has SPF, which is much-needed all year but especially in the hot, summer months. Lately, I haven't felt the need to wear a lot of concealer with it, that's why I wanted to rave about it again. 

brows & skincare,
-Kaitlyn 

* = This product was sent to me for free through a Birchbox & Benefit giveaway. 

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