July Favorites 2014

July Favorites 2014

It’s already the end of July?! Well I hope that you are having a great Summer so far. I have been quite busy (hence I posted much less than usual), but I put together a little beauty recap for the month. As I mentioned in my last few posts, my skin has been doing well (other than being very oily, but there is no remedy for that in this heat), so I have continued to use the same skincare products that have been working so well for the past few weeks. I have also included hair, makeup and a couple of random/wellness favorites for this month.

Odacité Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser*. I only have a few pumps left and I am most definitely going to get more. It’s a simple cleansing milk that cleanses the skin well without stripping it. It leaves no residue that may clog the pores, and it makes my skin look calm. I truly appreciating that it comes with a pump (no finger-scooping needed – hooray) and that it does not have any scent to it. Most important, it has helped my skin to stay clear and balanced, therefore it’s a keeper (available here).

Maya Water Facial Mist (White Tea). I have tried all of the Maya Water Facial Mists (there are four), since I last wrote about them and White Tea is definitely my favorite. I use it to prepare my skin before cleansing and I occasionally spritz my face with it throughout the day when I am indoors (A/C can be drying to even the oiliest complexions, do you agree?). I also like to mix it with my YULI Pure Mask. If you depress the nozzle of the Maya Water bottle gently, it drizzles rather than coming out as a mist, so I can add just enough of the drops to the mask powder to reach the perfect consistency (available here).

MUN No. 1 Aknari Brightening Youth Serum*. Last month I mentioned on my Instagram that MUN reformulated their product with 100% Ecocert organic ingredients and upgraded the size of the bottle. I started a new bottle and fell back in love with it all over again. The rose-y scent is absolutely intoxicating and this serum gives the skin such a nice, grease-free glow! I especially like this for the under-eye area (without getting too close to the eyes) because it keeps the fine lines well moisturized, making them look smoother (available here).

Kjaer Weis Cream Foundation (Illusion). This is probably the one foundation I own that holds up well in the hot weather (it has a semi-matte finish) and does not make me look shiny. I purchased a darker shade because Paper Thin, the one I wore in the foundation review, has become too light for my skin tone (I have a slight tan at the moment) (available here).

RMS Beauty Un Powder. The only setting powder that works in the hottest, oiliest Summer days. The tiniest amount keeps me shine-free all day long and does not make the skin look dry, but velvety and soft. (available here)

Captain Blankenship Sea Salt Hair Spray. I have always loved effortless beach hair waves, but have not been particularly impressed with any sea salt hair sprays that I have tried in the past. This one really converted me. It’s so great to use when my hair is looking flat, straight (and boring) to add a little texture and some waves. It is also non-drying like many other sea salt sprays, so it does not make my hair look crunchy and sticky (and dirty). Best of all, it smells great! (available here) 

Zoya Nail Polish in Purity. I am not an adventurous type when it comes to nail painting (reds, nudes and occasionally black are my standard), however this year I am liking white. Zoya Purity is an opaque true white (opaque in one coat, although it looks much better with two cotas), and the formula is, as per usual with Zoya, very good and dries fairly quickly (available here).

BKR Glass Water Bottle. These hot days, carrying a glass water bottle in my purse is really necessary. I love my BKR bottle (you can find the exact same one with the white heart here). It’s well made in glass with a silicone sleeve and is very sturdy (otherwise I would have already broken it for sure). This I can carry around without worry about plastic melting/leaking into  my water, and the hooked cap is nice as well. It is also easy to clean with a bottle brush. Everyone that I have met this Summer has asked me where I got it (available here).

MJ’s Herbals First Aid Salve. I mentioned on Instagram how the MJ’s Herbals Calendula Salve had been close to miraculous at healing a burn on my finger. Then a few days ago I was at my favorite beach (which is a bit wild with all kinds of animals and bugs) and a fast, black, unknown bug bit me on my leg causing terrible (I really mean it, terrible) itching and swelling of the area. I am not sure if it was a spider or a giant mosquito – all I saw was a fast, black something on my leg, and instead of smashing it and kill it I just shook it off my leg. Anyways, I thought I would try to apply some of the First Aid Salve to see if it helped a little with the itching. One hour later the itching was completely gone and so was the swelling. Do I need to say more? (available here).

I have not included some of last month’s favorites that I am still using and loving but they belong to my July favorites as well. Those are the Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel, the One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo, the Prtty Peaushun, and of course the YULI Cocoon Facial Elixir.

What were your favorites in July?

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