Summer Beauty Favorites: Basic Bitch Edition
I'm one of those basic bitches who uses the arrival of September as an excuse to usher in all things fall related-- pumpkin spice lattes, dark nails, vampy lips, all black clothing, and blanket scarves despite the fact that it's still 80 degrees outside half the week. But the reality is that it isn't officially fall until the Autumn Equinox which isn't until the 22nd. Regardless, even if fall hasn't officially arrived yet I've accepted that summer is over. And since it's over, it's time for me to share my summer favorites from the past few months!
1. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in 'Vogue Rose'
Price & Size: $36.00 for 4.82g/0.17oz available via Birchbox; unfortunately this exact color was limited edition but the rest of their colors are available via Sephora, RMS beauty, Dermstore, Anthropologie, Free People, Cult Beauty, & Nordstrom
Ingredients: *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax) (Cire d’abeille), *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, **Buriti (Mauritia Flexuosa) Oil, *Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tocopherol(non-GMO), Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract , *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, May Contain: [+/-] Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica *CERTIFIED ORGANIC **WILDCRAFTED
Review: I'm a relatively recent blush convert but now that I've started wearing it on the daily, I can't imagine doing any sort of makeup look and not wear blush. My latest blush obsession are cream blushes which probably started with Glossier's cloud paint (which was in my spring beauty favorites) but really took off when I purchased this RMS blush.
Unlike the Glossier, the RMS blush has a classic cream formula. It's packaged in a cute little jar and you run your finger/ sponge/ brush to pick up the pigment. My preferred method of application is with my finger. I've tried it with a sponge and stippling brush, but I find the effect isn't much different than with my finger. Also, it's easier to spread and control with my finger.
I'll usually run it around the top a few times to warm it up and then dab the product I picked up all over my cheeks and a bit up my temples (for a very low-key blush draping kinda look.)
Two common issues I've found with cream products are they 1) can emphasize my crater-sized pores 2) they break down throughout the day. This RMS blush does neither. Depending on the weather and how much time I spend in front of the AC, it can look a bit faded or dewier at the end of the day, but it's never broken and it never heavily emphasized my pores.
I also like how easily I can sheer out or build up the color. Usually, I'm a very minimal makeup kinda gal but sometimes I like to be a bit bold with my look and this blush goes both ways.
The formula also has a nice range of colors. I was a bit afraid this shade would be too light for me, but that wasn't the case. And although it is a lighter color, it doesn't have a lot of white in it so it doesn't look ashy on medium to dark skin tones. I hope to pick up one of the deep colors like Diabolique or Illusive over the winter 😎
Even though this is a lip2cheek tint I don't really like the color on my lips so I solely use it as a blush.
2. First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint with Goji Berry SPF 30 in 'Medium' (PR gift)
Price & Size: $34.00 for 1 oz/ 30 mL available via Sephora & First Aid Beauty
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Aqua (Water, Eau), Polymethyl Methacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Sucrose Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lecithin, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides).
Review: I'm on the verge of typing out a lengthy review of this skin tint for this post but I do want to write a proper review and don't want to spoil that. What I will say about this skin tint is that it has everything I look for in a base product.
It's moisturizing but not greasy. It provides some coverage but isn't heavy or cakey in the last bit. It never squirts product all over the place. It's easy to blend with my fingers. It wears well throughout the day. I actually have a shade match. It doesn't pill. I know without a doubt I'll be reaching for it a lot this fall/ winter.
If you want to see swatches of all 4 shades, I shared some on my Instagram.
3. Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner (PR gift from Ohlolly Beauty)
Price & Size: $12.00 for 100 mL or $19.00 for 200 mL available via Ohlolly Beauty
Ingredients: 91.9% Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Review: If you know me, you know I love mists. I've got a lot of 'em and I go through them relatively quickly. And yet there are so many more out there for me to try. So if I repurchase a mist it's probably really freakin' amazing in my books.
The mist is fine but not too fine. I can wear it over makeup without worrying about disrupting my foundation + concealer + whatever else I decided to cake on my face that day, but it also isn't too fine that I have to spritz for 5 hours and worry about my hand falling off. My face instantly heels hydrated when I spray it and the hydration is lasting and adds a little oomph to my routine. Even if it dries down within a minute or two, I feel like I've put something on my face. I can't say the same for some other sprays like Mario Badescu's Rosewater water.
Another pro: it never makes my face feel sticky or heavy! In the summer sometimes I would get carried away with the mists because they were the bulk of my skin care layers. But too many mists in too little time equals a sticky face (if I had to take a gander as to why that is, I would guess it's because it has less glycerin than your average mist)
It has a really refreshing smell which I'm gonna guess is the Coptis Japonica Root Extract, cause ya know it's 90% composed of that.
I admit that Coptis Japonica Root Extract isn't an ingredient I'm very familiar with but I am fascinated by what I've read so far. It's a popular ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine and contains berberine which has a lengthy list of potential benefits. Unfortunately, I can't find much info on the benefits of applying coptis root or berberine topically, but that doesn't mean they're ineffective but rather that the research has not been done/ properly publicized. And who's to say the research won't be done in the future! Gothamista did a brand review on Pyunkang Yul and briefly mentions the extract and shares that it's rich in antioxidants and has been shown to protect against UV damage.
I love this stuff and will be purchasing the 200 mL bottle as soon as I'm through!
4. Youth to the People Age Prevention Superfood Mask
Price & Size: $44.00 for 2 oz available via Sephora & Youth to the People
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Organic Glycerin, Phytoplankton (Microalgae) Extract, Organic Spirulina Platensis (Spirulina) Extract, Organic Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Leaf Extract, Organic Spinacea Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Organic Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Chlorophyll, Sodium Citrate, Algae Extract, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Review: I'm fully aware I sound like a broken record but whenever I use a Youth to the People product I feel like I'm putting salad on my face. And not a shitty iceberg lettuce salad that comes packaged in a plastic bag with a few shreds of carrot and what might be purple cabbage, but a fancy-ass loaded up salad that has all the toppings and freshly chopped greens and cheese and a nice dressing on the side. I mean, just look at the ingredient list for this mask. Kale, green tea, spinach, alfalfa, aloe, chamomile, no wonder it smells and feels so good.
The main reason this mask deserves a spot on my summer favorites list is because it doesn't dry my skin out no matter how long I leave it on my skin. With most other clay masks I don't like letting them dry all the way down and seldom wear them for more than 10-15 minutes because then the cons outweigh the benefits of the mask because my skin literally shrivels up.
But this mask? It literally never dries up to the point where it's hard and crumbles. I've worn it for 30 minutes and it's still soft on my face. Not only do I get the usual results of wearing a mask-- temporarily smaller pores, cleansed skin, and a brighter complexion-- but my skin is also left soft and hydrated. Usually, I retire my clay masks come winter but I think I'll be able to comfortably wear this through the cold, dry months coming up.
Plus it's fun to pretend I'm the hulk when I apply it 😂
5. Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer with Echinacea GreenEnvy Honey (PR Gift)
Price & Size: $44.00 for 2 oz available via Sephora & Farmacy Beauty
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Honey Extract, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Betaine, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Flavor (Aroma), Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Mica, Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Diheptyl Succinate,Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Olivate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Glycol
Review: I already wrote up a proper full-length review on the Farmacy honey drop moisturizer in which you can read all about the yummy ingredients, soothing texture, and long-lasting moisture this moisturizer provides.
6. Mommy UV Mild Gel
Price & Size: 100 g (3.5 oz) for about $13.50 available via Amazon
Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, macadamia nut oil, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl benzoic acid Hexyl, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Apple extract, raspberry extract, crosspolymer (acrylates / acrylic acid alkyl (C10-30)), potassium hydroxide, EDTA-2Na, BHT, Butylene Glycol
Review: This is yet another product I recently reviewed! In fact, I reviewed it in the post right before this one aka my sunscreens for dry/ dehydrated skin round-up 😎
And those were my favorites over the past few months! Even though fall really is right around the corner, I think most of these will still be used on the regular because they're that dang good 😏
Price & Size: $36.00 for 4.82g/0.17oz available via Birchbox; unfortunately this exact color was limited edition but the rest of their colors are available via Sephora, RMS beauty, Dermstore, Anthropologie, Free People, Cult Beauty, & Nordstrom
Ingredients: *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax) (Cire d’abeille), *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, **Buriti (Mauritia Flexuosa) Oil, *Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tocopherol(non-GMO), Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract , *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, May Contain: [+/-] Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica *CERTIFIED ORGANIC **WILDCRAFTED
Review: I'm a relatively recent blush convert but now that I've started wearing it on the daily, I can't imagine doing any sort of makeup look and not wear blush. My latest blush obsession are cream blushes which probably started with Glossier's cloud paint (which was in my spring beauty favorites) but really took off when I purchased this RMS blush.
Unlike the Glossier, the RMS blush has a classic cream formula. It's packaged in a cute little jar and you run your finger/ sponge/ brush to pick up the pigment. My preferred method of application is with my finger. I've tried it with a sponge and stippling brush, but I find the effect isn't much different than with my finger. Also, it's easier to spread and control with my finger.
I'll usually run it around the top a few times to warm it up and then dab the product I picked up all over my cheeks and a bit up my temples (for a very low-key blush draping kinda look.)
Two common issues I've found with cream products are they 1) can emphasize my crater-sized pores 2) they break down throughout the day. This RMS blush does neither. Depending on the weather and how much time I spend in front of the AC, it can look a bit faded or dewier at the end of the day, but it's never broken and it never heavily emphasized my pores.
I also like how easily I can sheer out or build up the color. Usually, I'm a very minimal makeup kinda gal but sometimes I like to be a bit bold with my look and this blush goes both ways.
The formula also has a nice range of colors. I was a bit afraid this shade would be too light for me, but that wasn't the case. And although it is a lighter color, it doesn't have a lot of white in it so it doesn't look ashy on medium to dark skin tones. I hope to pick up one of the deep colors like Diabolique or Illusive over the winter 😎
Even though this is a lip2cheek tint I don't really like the color on my lips so I solely use it as a blush.
2. First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint with Goji Berry SPF 30 in 'Medium' (PR gift)
Price & Size: $34.00 for 1 oz/ 30 mL available via Sephora & First Aid Beauty
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Aqua (Water, Eau), Polymethyl Methacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)silylethyl Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Sucrose Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lecithin, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77492/77499 (Iron Oxides).
Review: I'm on the verge of typing out a lengthy review of this skin tint for this post but I do want to write a proper review and don't want to spoil that. What I will say about this skin tint is that it has everything I look for in a base product.
It's moisturizing but not greasy. It provides some coverage but isn't heavy or cakey in the last bit. It never squirts product all over the place. It's easy to blend with my fingers. It wears well throughout the day. I actually have a shade match. It doesn't pill. I know without a doubt I'll be reaching for it a lot this fall/ winter.
If you want to see swatches of all 4 shades, I shared some on my Instagram.
3. Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner (PR gift from Ohlolly Beauty)
Price & Size: $12.00 for 100 mL or $19.00 for 200 mL available via Ohlolly Beauty
Ingredients: 91.9% Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Review: If you know me, you know I love mists. I've got a lot of 'em and I go through them relatively quickly. And yet there are so many more out there for me to try. So if I repurchase a mist it's probably really freakin' amazing in my books.
The mist is fine but not too fine. I can wear it over makeup without worrying about disrupting my foundation + concealer + whatever else I decided to cake on my face that day, but it also isn't too fine that I have to spritz for 5 hours and worry about my hand falling off. My face instantly heels hydrated when I spray it and the hydration is lasting and adds a little oomph to my routine. Even if it dries down within a minute or two, I feel like I've put something on my face. I can't say the same for some other sprays like Mario Badescu's Rosewater water.
Another pro: it never makes my face feel sticky or heavy! In the summer sometimes I would get carried away with the mists because they were the bulk of my skin care layers. But too many mists in too little time equals a sticky face (if I had to take a gander as to why that is, I would guess it's because it has less glycerin than your average mist)
It has a really refreshing smell which I'm gonna guess is the Coptis Japonica Root Extract, cause ya know it's 90% composed of that.
I admit that Coptis Japonica Root Extract isn't an ingredient I'm very familiar with but I am fascinated by what I've read so far. It's a popular ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine and contains berberine which has a lengthy list of potential benefits. Unfortunately, I can't find much info on the benefits of applying coptis root or berberine topically, but that doesn't mean they're ineffective but rather that the research has not been done/ properly publicized. And who's to say the research won't be done in the future! Gothamista did a brand review on Pyunkang Yul and briefly mentions the extract and shares that it's rich in antioxidants and has been shown to protect against UV damage.
I love this stuff and will be purchasing the 200 mL bottle as soon as I'm through!
4. Youth to the People Age Prevention Superfood Mask
Price & Size: $44.00 for 2 oz available via Sephora & Youth to the People
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Organic Glycerin, Phytoplankton (Microalgae) Extract, Organic Spirulina Platensis (Spirulina) Extract, Organic Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Leaf Extract, Organic Spinacea Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Organic Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Chlorophyll, Sodium Citrate, Algae Extract, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea (Kale) Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Review: I'm fully aware I sound like a broken record but whenever I use a Youth to the People product I feel like I'm putting salad on my face. And not a shitty iceberg lettuce salad that comes packaged in a plastic bag with a few shreds of carrot and what might be purple cabbage, but a fancy-ass loaded up salad that has all the toppings and freshly chopped greens and cheese and a nice dressing on the side. I mean, just look at the ingredient list for this mask. Kale, green tea, spinach, alfalfa, aloe, chamomile, no wonder it smells and feels so good.
The main reason this mask deserves a spot on my summer favorites list is because it doesn't dry my skin out no matter how long I leave it on my skin. With most other clay masks I don't like letting them dry all the way down and seldom wear them for more than 10-15 minutes because then the cons outweigh the benefits of the mask because my skin literally shrivels up.
But this mask? It literally never dries up to the point where it's hard and crumbles. I've worn it for 30 minutes and it's still soft on my face. Not only do I get the usual results of wearing a mask-- temporarily smaller pores, cleansed skin, and a brighter complexion-- but my skin is also left soft and hydrated. Usually, I retire my clay masks come winter but I think I'll be able to comfortably wear this through the cold, dry months coming up.
Plus it's fun to pretend I'm the hulk when I apply it 😂
5. Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer with Echinacea GreenEnvy Honey (PR Gift)
Price & Size: $44.00 for 2 oz available via Sephora & Farmacy Beauty
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Honey Extract, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Betaine, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Flavor (Aroma), Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Mica, Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Diheptyl Succinate,Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Olivate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Glycol
Review: I already wrote up a proper full-length review on the Farmacy honey drop moisturizer in which you can read all about the yummy ingredients, soothing texture, and long-lasting moisture this moisturizer provides.
6. Mommy UV Mild Gel
Price & Size: 100 g (3.5 oz) for about $13.50 available via Amazon
Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, macadamia nut oil, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl benzoic acid Hexyl, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Apple extract, raspberry extract, crosspolymer (acrylates / acrylic acid alkyl (C10-30)), potassium hydroxide, EDTA-2Na, BHT, Butylene Glycol
Review: This is yet another product I recently reviewed! In fact, I reviewed it in the post right before this one aka my sunscreens for dry/ dehydrated skin round-up 😎
And those were my favorites over the past few months! Even though fall really is right around the corner, I think most of these will still be used on the regular because they're that dang good 😏
If you'd like to keep up with my posts, follow along on bloglovin' | instagram | pinterest | twitter | google +