june favorites :) happy fourth of july!

Hello ladies! I hope you're all having a great fourth of July. :) I haven't done a favorites post in a long time, but I just had to do one for June -I love the change of seasons and the bright makeup shades that summer brings. 

Dior Diorskin Healthy Glow Summer Powder in Aurora

It was love at first sight with this baby, and that love hasn't stopped since, it's only grown. This is the perfect bronzer for my skintone - it's natural and gives my skin a nice glow. It's impossible for me to overdo it with this one (and I have a bad habit of overdoing cheek products, so that's saying something!). I apply this on my cheeks, forehead, down the nose, and on the chin. It's also eliminated my need for pressed powder, as I find it sets my makeup just enough. But just in case, I've been setting my makeup with Evian facial mist and carrying blotting papers with me, but I barely ever use them. It may sound crazy, but I think I like the look of oily skin - as long as it's not to the point of makeup dripping down your face, of course!

MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow

I wore this on the lid paired with Glamour Check in the crease and Sand & Sun under the brows maaaany times this past month. Such a gorgeous bronze.  It's a semi-recent addition to my collection of MAC shadows, and it's already one of my favorites.

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

When I first swatched this, I think I squealed. This is the highlight shade of my dreams. I've worn it ever day since on my cheekbones, and often under my brows, too. It's knocked Dior Amber Diamond and YSL Metallic Colorama to the curb. It doesn't fade at all through even the hottest of days. It's amazing!

Stila Convertible Color in Petunia

I got this spontaneously at J.Crew when I saw it in the clearance bins for $4.99. They usually retail for $20-something, and it looked nice enough, so buy I did, and I'm so glad! It's the first cream blush product that I really love on both cheeks and lips. I have Stila's Gerbera, too, but that one is a drier consistency, and is a little difficult to work with as a lip color. Petunia is really creamy and lovely, though. 

Illamasqua cream blush in Rude 

I wear cream blushes to death in the summer. I have semi-oily skin (and I live in hot and sticky Florida!), but I just can't resist those magical little containers that hold the key to dewy cheeks. This one is an all-time fave. It's such a nice coral, and it holds up really well in the heat. I just have to be careful not to overdo it, because this baby is pigmented!

swatched in the same order - Aurora is very natural-looking on my skin as you can (hardly) see from the swatch!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

This has been my go-to foundation so far this summer. Don't get me wrong, I still loooove my Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer, but I just find this to be a better shade match for me, and though I usually disliked fragrance in foundation (it has a tendency to cause breakouts), I love the scent of this one! So far, no problems to speak of in terms of breakouts either. This is one foundation that I think is definitely worth the hype.

Boscia BB Cream

When I'm in a light-coverage mood, this BB cream is great. It doesn't have a strong sunscreen scent, and while it does have light coverage, I think it's better coverage than I get from my other BB cream, the Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Balm (which also has the strong sunscreen scent). I like the sleek packaging, too, and the expiration date printed on the packaging (either on the box or the bottle... I'd get up to check, but there's a kitty in my lap!). Some reviews I've read spoke of sparkle, but I don't see it. I actually like this best mixed with an illuminator, like Tarte's Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum or Illamasqua Gleam Cream. 

Pureology Thermal Antifade Complex Super Smooth Relaxing Serum

This was a hand-me-down from Mom, who'd recently picked up a similar product by Aveda and found she wasn't using it that much since.  I'm ever so grateful, because I LOVE this stuff! I love me some Moroccanoil, but it contains silicones, which are no good for your hair (or my face, which my hair often touches!), and this is a great alternative with less damaging ingredients.  I put a small amount (it has a pretty foolproof pump dispenser) in my hand and run it through my hair prior to blow-drying. It leaves my hair super soft and silky.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (B10), Boscia BB Cream

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (B10), Boscia BB Cream - the Boscia looks much darker, but it somehow manages to blend nicely into my skin!

after blending

Pureology relaxing serum (just to give an idea of the texture - it's definitely a serum texture, not sticky)

FairyDrops Scandal Queen mascara  

I love this mascara best as a base, followed w/a coat of Lancome Hypnose Drama or MUFE Smoky Lash. I looove the formula, and it really holds a curl and lengthens, it's just not as black as I like - and that's where the Lancome or MUFE comes in. ;)

Sephora Jumbo Liner in Beige

I love this as a waterline liner and inner corner highlight. I've used it pretty much daily since I got it. It doesn't budge after applying, and it doesn't irritate my eyes. Think I actually prefer this over the Urban Decay Sin shadow pencil!

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #2 Dewy Papaya

I love everything about this gloss balm. It goes with everything, and is not too bright to wear to work. It's also very moisturizing, smells FAB, and, well, it's YSL - isn't that reason enough? It is for me! ;)

Guerlain Rouge Automatique #143 Nahema

This has been my days-off lipstick shade of choice this past month. It looks nice in the tube and all (and the tube! so cool!), but when swatched and applied on the lips, it is WOW. I also find it surprisingly versatile. It has nice lasting power as well, and doesn't dry out my lips. And it tastes/smells good, too!

swatched in the same order (left out the mascara, obviously)

Alright, that's all for June! What were your faves? Let me know in the comments, or link me to your blogpost if you'd like! :)

Oh, and of course before I go I have to give credit where it's due...

Sammy is my official photography assistant and was very "helpful" in the making of this post. Ahem. ;)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess