July Edit

July has been a very packed month. I feel like I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off! We just finalized the design and colors for Wild Yogawear and it  should be launched on Kickstarter by the time this goes live! I also decided to get more focused on my blog. For the last year, this has just been something that I did when I felt like it. I never thought much into it and I never really thought I was a very good writer or that anyone would be interested in what I had to say. But in June I saw my Instagram numbers double and it gave me the confidence to put myself out there a little more. Maybe people were actually enjoying my opinions on things?! So I’ve set myself a goal. I will post every Wednesday at a minimum (sometime I’ll pepper in other stuff if I feel like I’m on a role).

Tatcha Cleansing Oil

With such a busy July, I spent most of my time reverting back to old favorites that I know work well for me. Towards the beginning of the month I ran out of my all-time favorite second cleanse: Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I still haven’t purchased a new one, although I definitely will. I’ve been trying to use up my other cleansers first. But I did re-purchase the Tatcha Pure Cleansing Oil. I got a sample from somewhere and immediately I was hooked. Literally nothing has ever gotten all of my makeup off better. Smudge-proof, water-proof makeup does not stand a chance against this stuff. And it’s so incredibly gentle that I can use it on my eyes without fear of it stinging or irritating such a sensitive area. It is by-far my favorite first cleanse. I don’t know that anything will ever beat it in my books.

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Perfume

Growing up, I looked identical to the Olsen twins. To the point where my mom thought it was funny to photoshop me into pictures with them. I grew up watching them in everything. If they made it, I bought it. So when the Elizabeth & James Perfumes first launched, it felt nostalgic for me. I went to the store and quickly realized that I actually loved the smell of the Nirvana Black scent. I purchased it and used it so much I quickly ran through the entire bottle. It’s probably been a year since I last had a bottle of it, but this month, Macy’s had a massive sale of the Elizabeth & James perfumes and I picked up a set that included the full-size bottle, a travel roller-ball & the scented body oil. I haven’t tried the body oil yet, but I have used the perfume everyday since it came in the mail. The roller-ball now lives in my purse and I reapply it throughout the day because I just can’t get enough of the scent. Its one of those scents that just exudes sexy. It’s musky and manly, but also has a distinctive sweetness to it.

Notes:
Violet, Sandalwood, Vanilla.
Style:
Sensual. Mysterious. Warm.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation

I don’t think I’ve owned the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 since I was in high school. Back then, I barely wore makeup. I was a tomboy who hid behind giant baggy sweatshirts. Since really finding makeup, I’ve come into my own a lot more. I didn’t really know if this was going to work for me since my skin has changed so much since high school, but I decided to pick it up on a whim. For days when I don’t want a ton of coverage, this is my go-to. Since my t-zone can get very oily throughout the hot summer days, I do find that I have to set it with a translucent powder or else it will slide off throughout the day. But the finish it gives makes me so happy. It’s very natural and doesn’t make me feel overdone, but I do get the coverage I need and it really helps to even out my skin tone.

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Terra

I am a sucker for anything Tom Ford. I have never had the luxury of owning anything from his clothing line, but I have had the chance to try out my fair share of his makeup. I have fallen in love with almost everything of his that I’ve used. This, however, may be my favorite so far. Terra is the perfect shade for my incredibly pale skin tone. It’s not too warm, so I never look orange. I am able to use it as almost a bronzer/contour mix and I find it looks flawless on the skin. It has been my go-to for the last few months. A slightly cheaper alternative is the Marc Jacobs Tan-tastic Bronzer, although I’m not sure if that was just a limited release.

NARS Soft Matte Cream Concealer in Vanilla

I think NARS has been my go-to for concealer for the last few years. I have tried others, but every time I stray, I find I’m just not as happy. The Radiant Creamy Concealer was my all-time favorite; until they came out with this guy. It never slips or slides and is not too drying so I can use it under my eyes as well as on blemishes. I just find that my makeup always looks better when using the Soft matte Cream Concealer.

Davines OI Oil

There is no doubt in my mind that this is my favorite after-shower hair oil. Nothing else makes my hair feel better without weighing it down. My hair is really long & thin, which means it tangles like crazy. I can’t brush through it when it’s wet or I will just end up ripping it right out of my head. Since finding the Davines OI Oil, my hair has never felt softer, or stronger. I still enjoy using the UMA Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil as a pre-wash treatment, but I always follow up my shower by running the OI Oil throughout the mid-length & ends of my hair. I will for sure buy a full size when this runs out.

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System

Now, when I first bought this, I wasn’t paying enough attention because I was trying to purchase an Essence. Dumbo me thought that’s what this was. Come to find out, it’s more like the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist in that it is a mist that provides a shot of hydration. I use the Amore Pacific Moisture Bound after I have finished my entire skincare routine before I go to bed to really seal in all of the moisture. I also like to use it with drying face masks like the May Lindstrom Problem Solver to help reactivate the ingredients and may it stay moist longer. While this is definitely not a required step in my skincare routine, I do find that I really enjoy it as a last step. There is just something about a great mist that makes my heart happy.

 

 

What were some of your favorite things in July?