Lovin’ Lately

When it’s over 95 degrees outside, I usually just skip wearing makeup.

In July, the weather was a bit out of control (hitting 80s by 7am), which is why I haven’t been wearing a whole lot of makeup. It doesn’t matter how much weather-proofing I do, wearing oil-free and water-resistant formulas, I know that at some point during the day, I’ll feel like my makeup is melting off.

This is also why there aren’t too many makeup products included in this month’s Lovin’ Lately. When I did wear makeup, I reached for two of my newest eye palettes: Tom Ford Nude Dip and ABH Modern Renaissance. I find both so easy to work with and both are quite versatile. Nude Dip might just be my favorite high-end purchase of all times. Most of the time, I just feel like the eyeshadows just blend themselves.

L’Oreal’s True Match is a fantastic drugstore foundation, although it might not be ideal to use during summer if you have very oily skin. I love it for being an almost perfect match to my skin tone and the natural finish it gives. My summer favorite is the oil-free and water-resistant Mat Velvet + from MUFE, but you probably already knew that.

Moving on to skincare, I’m on my second bottle of Pur-lisse Blue Lotus Brightening Serum* and my skin is loving this stuff. I really like the packaging, the formula and the fact that with regular use, my skin does look brighter. I still have some scarring from acne and this definitely isn’t a miracle worker, but it does help.

Now, the MVP of this month’s Lovin’ Lately has to be MD Solar Sciences Mineral Crème SPF 50Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB Sunscreen* that was sent to me a few weeks ago. As you guys know I’m still on my acne treatment which includes antibiotics, Tazorac, Retin-A Micro and Acanya. All of this leaves my skin very irritated, dry and sensitive. At my last visit at my dermatologist’s office I told my doctor that my skin feels like it’s on fire when I use sunscreen (I use several different ones I trusted for years, never had a problem with sensitivity before). She recommended this one from Avène. It’s a face and body, light, mineral sunscreen lotion and while I love using it on my body, it’s just way too heavy for my face, it irritated it and left a lot of that white, sunscreen residue on my skin. Few weeks later I tried the MD Solar Sciences Mineral Crème and it’s probably one of my favorite products that’s ever been sent to me. It feels so incredibly smooth, doesn’t irritate or burn my skin and the finish is completely matte, which I love. It also works very well under makeup and doesn’t break me out. I’ve never heard of MD Solar Sciences before, so I was really surprised at how much I loved it.

If there’s one type of product I can’t live without during Summer, it’s face mists. I rotate between about 8-10 of them. Avène Thermal Spring Water has been a favorite for many, many years and I always carry it with me in my bag. Now, that my skin is hypersensitive, I use it several times a day. Right after I wash my skin it usually feels very dry and tight because of my meds, and this mist just brings instant relief.

Another gem that I found at Marshall’s few weeks ago is the Cucumber Water Hydrating Face Mist from Pealressence. I actually first thought that it was a Herbivore product because, hello, the packaging is almost identical??? Pearlessence is another brand I haven’t really heard of before, but looking at the ingredients of this mist, I realized that it’s a very good product. It actually does contain cucumber water (it’s listed as a second ingredient) it also has aloe juice, coconut water, rose extract and witch hazel. It does contain a little fragrance, but it doesn’t irritate my skin at all. I’ve looked all the place but only found one place that sells it online.

Now, you probably know just how crazy I am about candles. Other than some fancy candles like Jo Malone, Diptyque and Balenciaga, I also have a few favorites I always pick up at Home Goods or TJMaxx (although I did find my favorite Balenciaga candle there once, too!). My favorites are Scentsational candles, Village Candle in Black Bamboo, and as of few months ago, this Wild Honey Nectar for DW Homes. I am on my 5th one and I can’t tell you just how much I love this scent. I’ve tried a few different scents form DW Homes, but none compare to Wild Honey Nectar. It has such a unique scent and the throw is quite strong. If I burn this in the kitchen, I can smell it all the way downstairs in my laundry room. At the same time though, it’s not too overpowering and will not give you a headache. If you’re ever at Home Goods or TJMaxx and see this candle, get it!

What have you been loving lately?