Monthly Favorites | May & June

I know I'm really late on this post, so I'll make it quick. This is just a generalized round up of products I've used through May and June, so I did condense it a bit. It's already almost August, so I wanted to get this out of the way!

Missha Super Aqua Perfect Water Deep Cleanser: This has been the number one thing that I've been using to take off my makeup at night. I have a feeling this is going to last me a long time because I've been using this for a couple months now. 

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid: I use this after my toner in the morning and it has salicylic acid in it. I just pop a little on a cotton pad and it isn't drying. I prefer chemical exfoliation and this is great and quick.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: This is my favorite thing ever and my favorite from the Paula's Choice line so far. I use this in the morning and at night and it doesn't make my skin feel too oily. This has definitely been replacing my Missha Time Revolution Ampoule at night and my It's Skin serum in the morning.

Paula's Choice Resist Super Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30: When I was running out of my Neutrogena sunscreen, I wanted to try something new. At first, I didn't like this one because it has a tint to it. Now that I've gotten used to it, I really like that there is a tint. I can use this by itself on a day off and not feel completely naked faced or it can be used as a primer under makeup since it does dry down a bit. 

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Primer: This was pretty much the only primer I used in May and June. I really like this one and I can blend it in a little better with my beautyblender before applying makeup.

BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream: I really like this BB Cream in the summer because it's nice and light and I don't have to mix anything in to get a good color or coverage. It's something I want to use up also because I've been hanging onto this for over a year. I think it's the only BRTC BB that matches me.

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer: I had been using a concealer stick for so long that I forgot how much I liked liquid concealers. This had been on of my favorites a long time ago when I first bought it, but it wasn't bright enough for under my eyes. It actually matches my skin perfectly and it works really well with the BRTC BB Cream.

Benefit High Beam: When I was going bare minimum while we were moving, I would do BB Cream and just add a little of this liquid highlighter on my cheek bones and brow bones. This was easy enough to just dab on with the little brush and blend in with my finger or beautyblender instead of toting a powder and a brush with me.

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara: I got this in an Influenster Vox Box because no way would I ever pay $32 for a mascara! I really like it, but that is just way too much to be paying for a mascara. I think $20 is probably the absolute maximum I would be willing to spend. I do really like everything about this mascara though. It even smells nice and the packaging is beyond luxurious. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn: This has been my standby brow product since I purchased it. The color is more natural that I was going for before, but I like that it works with my hair and skin tone. It's pretty easy to work with and there is a lot of product in this little jar. I'm a fan.

Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronze in Tantric: I really like this bronzer for all over bronzing. The color is perfect for my skin and it blends out so nicely. I'm glad I finally sprung for this powder because I wasn't going to buy it due to how expensive Marc Jacobs cosmetics are.

Marc Jacobs #InstaMarc Light Filtering Contour Powder in Dream Filter 20: This is one of those products that I worry about using up because I love it so much and it was so expensive. I love the highlight color to set my under eye concealer and I use it to carve out my contour if I over blend. The contour powder is my perfect shade and it blends so nicely with my NARS Ita brush. It's perfect. I just wish I felt better traveling with it because I worry about something like this breaking my makeup bag. 

MAC Solar Riche: If I wasn't at home and wanted to bronze up a bit, I would use Solar Riche. I used to think this color didn't suit me before I really knew how to use bronzer, but this blends out really nicely. It isn't my favorite MAC bronzer, but I wanted to try something new and I'm a fan.

Sephora Bronzer Powder in Anguilla: I've been loving this for a simple, more natural contour when I don't want to go too dark. Although I really love the Marc Jacobs powder, it tends to look more dramatic. If I'm short on time, I use this to do a light contour because there's a lot of room for error. I don't need to blend it much at all because it's a lighter color.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat: I really like this for a glowy cheek look. This is something I used when I was in a hurry and didn't have time to blend out a more pigmented blush in case I went heavy handed. I think I would definitely try different colors from the line, but they are pricey.

MAC Mighty Aphrodite: I've always loved this blush. I think it was one of the first that I purchased from a MAC limited edition collection, which was Wonder Woman in 2011. I always end up going back to this blush when I don't know what to wear because its just so easy. Definitely an all time favorite.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Lilac Rose: As far as highlighting goes, I use the opalescent strip. It's beautiful mixed with just a touch of the surrounding pinks. I keep thinking that I'll use the other colors as a blush, but I don't. When I swirl my brush lightly in the whole pan, I get a more subtle pink highlight color.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade: This has been a standby highlight ever since I bought it. I love remembering when I got something because then I know how long I've loved it. I got this in my old apartment almost two years ago. This is the original release of this highlight that runs more pink than the beige of the second, third, and permanent releases. When I want something that is just simple and pearlescent, I go for this highlighter.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone: This is a fairly new addition to my collection, so of course I had to use it a bunch after getting it. I've found that I like this more than theBalm's Mary LouManizer because it isn't quite as heavy. I'm really glad I got this on sale though, because $38 is pretty hefty for a highlighter.

Burberry Britt Sheer: This has been a nice citrusy mist for the beginning of summer. As you can see, I've made a pretty decent dent in this fragrance. I really love how simple this is for warmer weather. It isn't too heavy in the warm weather, so I don't know how it will be when it gets colder. I can't imagine this will be my go-to in the winter.

Escada Born In Paradise: This may be my top favorite out of everything right now. It's a perfect summery mix of pineapple and coconut without smelling like I bathed in a Piña Colada. I really like my other Escada, which is Moon Sparkle, but now I want other more recent Escada releases because of this one. I feel like they will all be pretty similar though and there are a few other perfumes I want before adding on other sweet ones at the end of the summer.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Sunshine: I was torn between getting this perfume, two other limited edition versions, and the original. I ended up smelling the original and not liking it enough to wear. Then I couldn't find a good enough deal on the other one that I wanted, which was Daisy Eau So Fresh Delight. I found this on eBay for a good price for a discontinued limited edition without the box. I love the scent and I love the bottle. This is going to be one of those scents that I wear in the day during spring and summer and worry about using up.

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia: This was my first Gucci perfume and I'm really happy with it. There were a lot of choices in the Gucci Flora line, but I finally decided on this one because I liked the notes and got a sample. I love the beautiful simplicity of the bottle and scent is so nice and light, but sweet at the same time. I feel like I have a lot of spring/summer floral fruity perfumes, but that's what I like. 

Vera Wang Princess: This is actually one of the perfumes in my collection that I can definitely wear in the winter. Princess has always been a favorite of mine, even if it is considered an immature scent. I still really like it and regardless of how sweet is smells, I still get compliments on it at work. I know when certain people at work like how I smell that I've found a good bottle.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Magnolia & Clementine Fine Fragrance Mist: I generally only choose body mists over perfume for when I want to smell nice but don't want to waste expensive perfume. I pop one of these in my gym bag or spray my work clothes so that I don't smell like old food all the time. This is a newer purchase, but I did have a scrub in this scent that I really liked in my past empties.

Bath & Body Works White Citrus Fragrance Mist: This is a nice refreshing scent that I had been using in my gym bag before buying the larger sizes. I really love how sharp and citrus this one is and I may eventually get the larger size, but last time I did that I got sick of the scent soon after.

Bath & Body Works Kauai Lei Flower Aloe Gel Lotion: I love this size for my purse, apron, and behind the bar. This is my favorite scent from the Hawaii line and I even have a backup for this little lotion that I may need crack into. I don't believe the aloe gel formula will be moisturizing enough to use alone in the winter, but I think I'll still prefer this size.

Bath & Body Works Maui Mango Surf Crushed Coconut Body Scrub: I prefer this formulation of scrub to the other one that I had. This lasts a little longer and the granules scrub better than the beads from the other one. I'm glad I decided to get all the Hawaii scents in this scrub when they were buy 3 get 3 free and I'll have plenty of scrubs to get me through the summer and probably the fall until the winter scents come out.

Sephora and Beauty.com Haul

Most of this stuff I bought before I moved and I've already included a couple in my May and June favorites, which I've yet to post. I'm just trying to catch up on things since moving and it wasn't happening. I'm going to try posting more, but no promises as I feel like I'm running out of things to talk about other than empties. I should actually probably do a project pan because there are quite a few things I'm trying to work through and finish up, mainly because of expiration dates. 

I'm going to breeze through this post in a "hey look what I bought!" manner.

Paula's Choice Skincare: I'm going to go through a skincare routine post soon since I've overhauled my skincare. I've had to replace most of my Korean products with American products because I really can't get a ridiculous amount of packages at this address. 

Since I'm a huge advocate of good toners and not ones that strip the skin, I stocked up on repairing toners. I really like all three of these and I would probably continue to repurchase them all. 

I also bought the 2% BHA for morning exfoliation and the 8% AHA for evening exfoliation. 

Paula's Choice Skincare: I also am replacing my retinols with Paula's Choice. I have this first one to use at night and the pink squeeze tube for every day. This is actually what will replace my Missha night ampoule. 

I also have the 10% AHA that I rotate with the 8% AHA so my skin doesn't get too irritated. 

I use two different Paula's Choice suncreens, one with a tint and one without. The tinted one dries down to more of a matte finish and I prefer that one when I don't have a lot of time to get ready and need to put on foundation immediately or when I don't want to wear makeup to leave the house for a bit.

Estée Lauder Bronzed Goddess: Holy hell this bronzer is huge. I really like it and I had this in my April favorites which just tells you how long I've had this stuff ready for a post.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone: This is a super pigmented highlighter that I absolutely love. I got this on sale or I wouldn't have paid $38 for it, but I love it.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat: Also something else from April favorites. This is such a nice highlighting blush.

Marc Jacobs! I'm not going into a lot of detail because I want to eventually do a post for these, but I bought these two lemmings due the Sephora sale. The top is the Instamarc contour and highlight compact. It's my favorite thing ever. I love setting my undereyes with the first powder and the contour powder is the perfect color.

The bottom one is the Tantric O!Mega Bronzer. This is also a great color, but I reach for this less because I tend to contour with the top compact.

Sephora Bronzers: I tossed these in my cart just because. I don't really like the top one, but I've used it for all over bronzing. The bottom one I thought was too light, but since it's matte, I've used it as a contour powder.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks in Beige and Lilac Rose: I cheated a little. I picked up Beige at Nordstrom Lilac Rose at the CCO, but I'm lumping these into the haul because I bought them at the same time. I love my Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick so much that I knew I needed more. I got a 20% discount on the Beige Shimmer Brick and the Lilac Rose one was a limited edition and I got a good deal from the CCO so I needed it. I'll use the top two strips in the Beige one or mix all the colors together, but to highlight with the Lilac Rose one, I tend to stay around the second strip.

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Primer and Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer: These were both on sale, so I figured I'd give them a go. At the time, I was running out of my MAC primer and the Smashbox primer was too drying for me, so I needed a backup plan. Both of these are good, but I don't think they'll bring me into the winter. I was really excited for the Hourglass primer, but I don't love it the way I thought I would. Good thing I didn't spring for the huge expensive size!

One last quick thing I forgot! I finally bought an Anastasia Dipbrow! This matches my hair better than my MAC brow gel creme, and I got it on sale. This has been my only brow product since purchasing it. I only wish the Auburn shade was a little redder, but it still matches better than the Blonde one from MAC.

Empties #6 | Products I've Used Up + Mini Review

Lots of big empties! I know I have three hand sanitizers that I used up recently, but I think they got lost in my move. I did pack up these empty things so I could take pictures and then throw everything away. I am on a mission to use up a bunch of products, so I'm sure I'll start doing a project pan style clean out.

I also feel like I'm sick of talking about empties so I'm going to attempt to make this short and sweet.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Magnolia & Clementine Shea & Fruit Body Scrub: I tend to use scrubs in the shower more often than soap or regular body wash. As I showed in my haul, I bought a ton of scrubs. I really like spring and summer scents, so I tend to hoard those so I can use them in the winter. I think I prefer the crushed coconut body scrubs that I'm using right now, but this was nice. I'm not sure if the beads are the kind that never break down though. Would I repurchase? I wish they made a candle in this scent. I'm thinking of getting this scent in the lotion during the next sale though.

Bath & Body Works Forever Sunshine Triple Moisture Body Lotion: I used this up pretty quickly because I try to use lotion when I get out of the shower. I liked the scent and I like how quickly Bath & Body Works lotions absorb because then I don't feel wet or sticky after putting on lotion. Would I repurchase? Not in this scent. There's a few different ones I want to buy instead.

Skinfood Milk Shake Point Eye Makeup Remover: When I stopped using the Missha cleansing oil that took off all my makeup, I needed to use a separate remover. I really like this one. It didn't sting my eyes and got everything off. Would I repurchase? Not anytime soon. I really like this, but it's something I generally have to order from Korea and I'm using a Missha cleansing water that does remove my mascara.

Secret Key Snail+EGF Repairing Toner: I don't think I've ever talked about this toner before because there was never a lot left in this bottle. This is one of my favorite Korean toners and I was sad that it was almost gone, so I never used it again. I was on a mission to finish up some products and this only had a few more uses in it, so I sadly killed it. Would I repurchase? Someday. I still want to use up a bunch of things and I have to order this from Korea.

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with SPF 35: I used this every day for almost a year. I'm surprised this moisturizer lasted so long. It's nothing special, just a moisturizer with SPF. I liked it, but I'm not sure I would want to go through another one. Would I repurchase? I get bored using the same things all the time, which is why I have a million things. I have a Paula's Choice SPF moisturizer that I'm currently using and I don't think I need another.

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser: This was one of my favorite cleansers that I kept with only a handful of uses in the bottle. This only took about a week or so to finish up. I really liked using this again. Would I repurchase? Definitely! But after I use up some other cleansers. I think I have ten or so to finish.

Philosophy Purity: I hated this. I know this cleanser gets rave reviews online, but it isn't pure and it smells. I'm so glad I didn't purchase the large size of this cleanser when I bought the baby bottle on sale. I ended up using the rest of it to wash my brushes and it didn't even work that well for that. Would I repurchase? Absolutely never.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule: This lasted a crazy long time. I bought this in November during one of the Black Friday sales. I didn't think my other ones lasted quite as long, but I won't complain. This isn't exactly a cheap item. Thankfully I had a backup that I finally cracked into or I would need to reorder. Would I repurchase? Definitely, but I'll wait until the next 30% or 40% off sale.

Cocoa Pink Junkett Creme Conditioner in Caramel Popcorn Balls: This took forever to finish, which isn't a bad thing. The conditioner I'm currently using will probably take less time because my hair is longer now. I was using this conditioner when my hair was a lot shorter. Would I repurchase? I'm beyond sick of this scent now, which is great because I have a lotion in this scent. I also recently purchased two more of the Junkett in different scents, so I won't need to buy any in a long time.

Mizon Returning Starfish Cream: I loved this cream. It was my holy grail moisturizer this winter because my skin was so dry. I loved being able to slather this all over my face before going to bed. I used to apply a sleeping pack, which is a Korean style night moisturizer, but I didn't need to use any this winter. Would I repurchase? Definitely, but not until the cold weather because I don't need that much moisture now that it is so hot out.

I'm going to be super brief with my sample packets except for a few. 

Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Black Head Strips: It's a blackhead strip. You wet it, it dries, it rips crap out of your nose. Great. Would I repurchase? Nope. I have plenty of these and others.

Holika Holika Aqua Fantasy Cream: I really love this, but the full jar is pricey, so I bought like 25 samples. I was using this on a daily basis and then we moved. I had more than three packets, but I don't know where those went. Would I repurchase? Nah. I have other things I use, and the jar is expensive. I don't want a ton of samples hanging around anymore.

Sephora Age Defy Under Eye Cream: This was nice. Then I forgot the packet was open and it completely dried out. Would I repurchase? If it were on sale and I was looking for an eye cream, maybe.

Laura Geller Spackle Bronze Tinted Primer: I didn't really care for this. It was okay. Would I repurchase? I would probably never buy a full size of this and I have plenty of other primers.

Nesura Deep Pore Charcoal Nose Strip: I actually liked this one. The only downside is that the strip is black and sometimes leaves black gunk around my nose after I peel it off. Would I repurchase? I have plenty of nose strips. 

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Moisture Cream: This was really thick and nice, but it had a weird added fragrance smell. I don't think this is something I would want on my face all the time. Would I repurchase? Nope, but I'd use another sample.

Innisfree Apple Juicy Liquid Foaming Cleanser: I have a ton of cleanser samples, but I never use them because I have so many full size cleansers to work through. I had to stay overnight at Shaun's sister's apartment with him and didn't want to drag a full bottle with me, so this was good for two face washes. I like the smell of the Apple Juicy line, since I have a cleansing cream as well, so this was really nice. Would I repurchase? This is one that I would consider after I use up a bunch of other cleansers. 

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara: I talked about this in a recent favorites post. I really liked this mascara, mainly for the brush. It's possible that this is my favorite drugstore mascara. Would I repurchase? I have a lot of samples left to use up, but I will definitely be buying another one of these. There's also another version I might want to try too.

Shiseido Facial Cotton: I love these. I didn't think it was possible to love cotton squares, but these are fantastic. The ones I used to buy from the drugstore would pill up and leave cotton particles all over my face while toning or using something like a liquid exfoliater These cotton squares are perfect and end up costing less than the drugstore ones. I think there's 165 in a package for $10 and I usually buy a 30 or 60 pack of drugstore ones for $3 or so. Would I repurchase? Ha. That's a trick question. I'm currently into a new bag of cotton and then have another backup. I can get these at Sephora or online at Nordstrom where they're on sale from time to time.

Bath & Body Works Candles in Oceanside, Mango Dragon Fruit, Caribbean Escape, Love and Sunshine, Watermelon Lemonade, and Cherry Blossom Sangria: Bath & Body Works are the only candles I burn because they smell so good. The trick is to buy them when they're 2 for $24 or 50% off. I would never buy one of these candles for $23 a piece. That's too expensive. I tend to rotate them so that they all burn up at the same time. Would I repurchase? I currently have 8 candles that I'm working through right now, but it's time for the Semi-Annual sale where most of them are between $11 and $12 each, so I'll definitely be a buying a few more before the sale ends.

Sephora Mini Haul + Unboxing!

Boom. Look what I got in the mail! This isn't going to be huge haul. I technically only bought two things, which were holidays sets. 

Here's my unboxed Sephora order! My two holiday sets are underneath all the samples. I also got my birthday gift from Make Up For Ever and a mini Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara.

Here's a better view of my two holiday sets. This is actually the only picture of the box my Kat Von D lipsticks came in because I opened them immediately.

Ooooh. That Tarte palette! This was seriously the only thing I was going to buy at Sephora, but it was $42 and I needed $50 for free shipping and then I just happened upon those Kat Von D lipsticks...

There are 3 matte colors and 2 shimmery colors. I'll do a full swatchfest of the colors later. Embraced and Bashful, the second and fourth colors, are the shimmery ones and the others are matte. I don't think there's a standout color as one I wouldn't wear. I'm especially loving the look of Breathless and Bashful, as those are the colors I've been reaching for lately.

All nine of my Kat Von D lipsticks! I was super stoked for this mini set because it was $39 and just one of the studded lipsticks are $21. These lipsticks are itty bitty, but I knew that when I ordered them. Of course they weren't going to value pack and price full size tubes. I was kind of surprised at just how small they turned out being, but I'm sure it will still take a long time to finish them.

You can see that the awesome studded tube is shorter than my finger, and I have pretty small hands.

Next is my birthday gift for being a Beauty Insider. I was really excited that it was from MUFE, because I've never tried the brand. 

The mini set includes a sample mascara and a sample lipstick. I can't comment on the performance of either because this is my unboxing and I haven't tried anything yet.

The lipstick is teeny and has the same amount of product as the small Kat Von D lipsticks. I can already tell the color is more of an every day one, but I'm sure I'll get some use out of it.