July 2013 Favorites!

 

Another month has come and gone and I gotta say July was pretty awesome, and I am sad to see it go…if I could repeat it, I definitely would…but on to the future and August! For this month’s Favorites video, I decided to spotlight 10 things that I’ve been loving in July!

 

1. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes 

I love these wipes! They are made for people with sensitive skin but can be used for all skin types. They are soft, moisturizing (it contains Pro-Vitamin B5 and won’t dry out skin or feel greasy) and always leave my skin leaving clean. Plus,  there’s no artificial perfume (although it does smell very nice), dyes, oil, or alcohol in it so it won’t irritate your skin. Also, it is very good at removing waterproof makeup! My favorite part is probably how they stay wet as you remove your makeup – I’ve used so many facial wipes that tend to “dry out” as I use it and then I have to wet it with some water to finish removing my makeup.

 

After washing my face and before applying makeup, I’ve been using this all month. It applies very easily and leaves my skin feeling moisturized and smooth and not greasy at all. Plus, it has SPF 15 to protect my skin on those sunny days. There’s a subtle scent that some say is very sunscreen-y but it doesn’t bother me at all. It might seem a little thick at first when you squeeze it out of the bottle but it smooths out nicely on your skin. There’s also a SPF 30 version if you want more sun protection.

 

I believe I have found my perfect summer blush! I love this – it’s a super pretty coral pink blush color with just a subtle enough shimmer to it that it gives you the look of having the perfect summer glow. The brush it comes with isn’t really the best for blush but makes for great contouring. It’s a little sheer but I think that makes it great for everyday wear although I would probably recommend it then to those with light to medium skin tones. I also love that it has a very light rosy floral scent and the packaging is adorable too.

 

I have been in love with the Vivids line this summer! The colors are just so bold and absolutely true to color. I’m actually shocked at how super pigmented these lipsticks are. They are also very longlasting – after the initial glossiness fades, it leaves a nice stain that stays on for hours. They are very moisturizing when you first apply and will eventually dry out a bit – when that happens I just put some gloss or a Lip Butter on top. There’s a bit of a light scent – much more pleasant than the usual lipstick smell. This particular color is a beautiful fuschia color that I’ve been pairing with a lot of neons lately (it looks fantastic with orange) and I think is just perfect for summer. A lot of people say it’s a dupe for MAC’s Candy Yum Yum. The ONLY negative thing I have to say about this line is the packaging. While I like the clear red boxy tube, I wish they weren’t ALL the same and actually showed what color the lipstick was – much like the Revlon Lip Butters. 

 

Speaking of which…everyone knows I LOVEE my Revlon Lip Butters so I won’t go on raving about them too much here but this particular shade (which was 1 out of 4 new shades to come out this summer) is one that I’ve been pairing with my Vivids Fuschia Flash lipstick a lot. It’s definitely one of the more pigmented lip butters and can certainly be worn on its own. Amazing for summer.

 

The search for the perfect brush has ended! I have very long hair that tangles easily and this brush is the answer to my prayers. It’s super painless and quick. I use it during the shower, after, as a I blow dry and even when my hair is dry and just needs a good de-tangleing. It’s only $9 on Amazon which is definitely worth it. It comes in a variety of colors, but you don’t get to choose what you get. I got purple, but I’d still love this brush no matter what color it was.

 

 

I visited this store for this first time while in LA and am now obsessed. The store is one size fits all (I was so confused when I first walked in and couldn’t find the size on anything haha) – although it’s more like one size fits all petite girls – but as a petite girl myself who has a really difficult time finding clothes that fit me at most stores, this place was heaven. The clothes are super cute and comfy – the materials are seriously amazing. The style is very young, laid back Cali trendy. I’m in love with their accessories which are super affordable and their maxi skirts…oh my goodness, I probably bought every one of their maxi skirts I love them so much. The only downside is their horrible customer service =/ I’ve been to two stores now, and while no one’s ever been rude to me, the girls are very unhelpful and all appear so…sullen? Just smile!

 

8. This Is the End [Movie]
I haven’t seen very many movies this summer, but I really wanted to see this one and got the chance to see it in LA. It’s about the apocolapyse that comes along during a party at James Franco’s house. One of the two directors in Seth Rogan who stars in it along with Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Craig Robinson (there’s also a TON of celebrity cameos) who all play fictionalized, over-the-top versions of themselves which I thought was genius. I can be a little picky when it comes to comedies as I am not a fan of gross out or crude humor, but I actually found myself laughing out loud in this one. I found it to be super entaining, dare I say smart, self depreciating, truly funny and outrageous, and without giving anything away, I love how it’s not just an apocalypse film but actually fits in several genres and you honestly have no idea what is going to happen next. A great piece of satire (which is actually my favorite kind of comedy).

 

9. Bates Motel [TV Show]
One of my newest favorites shows! It is a modern prequel to Hitchcock’s Psycho (one of my all-time favorite movies) that takes place in a little town in Oregon that is a lot more than it seems – very Twins Peak-esque. It follows the story of Norman Bates played by a grown up Freddie Highmore (remember him as Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?), and his mom Norma played by Vera Farmiga. The cast and acting are top notch and there’s a great team behind the scenes as well including former Lost producer Carlton Cuse. It’s intriguing, smart, and well-paced. I can’t wait for the second season!

 

10. 615carebear aka Carrie [Person]
I discovered this lovely girl not too long ago and just fell in love with her. Upon watching her first video, I honestly felt like we could be very good friends. She’s gorgeous, super down to earth, funny, relatable, and the sweetest, nicest person ever. She’s also very well spoken and very consistent with her videos unlike myself haha – I’m working on it, I promise!  She does a wide variety of videos – Favorites, Tags, Hauls, Empties, DIYs, Reviews, and as of this week she just posted her first Get Ready With Me video (watch below!). This girl’s killing it, and I wish her all the best on Youtube and life, and I feel so lucky to be able to call her my friend – love you, Carrie! <3 Be sure to check out her channel and subscribe HERE.