my beauty: summer 2012

I wouldn't call myself a know-it-all when it comes to beauty products, but I definitely love trying new things. I have a monthly subscription to Birchbox and love getting new products to try. I've mentioned a few products I love on the blog, but wanted to do a larger post (apologize in advance for the length) about what I love to use and what I'm dying to try.

I'm most obsessive about the hair products I use. My hair is naturally curly/wavy and I style it both straight and curly. I've been conditioning my hair twice in the shower for the past 7 years and swear by it. It makes my hair so soft and has helped with controlling damage due to heat styling.

Right now I love L'Oreal's Everpure Shampoo and Everstrong Conditioner. I love that they are sulfate-free and have a fresh, minty smell. I just started using Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner as my second conditioner and am obsessed with it. I use Organix Curling Cream and Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray together when I style my hair curly and I use Organix Moroccan Oil and Carol's Daughter Blow Dry Cream when doing it straight. I also use Tresemme Heat Tamer to protect my hair when I am heat styling it. My favorite dry shampoo is Oscar Blandi Invisible (Suave Keratin is also pretty good).

Moving on to face products and makeup! I'm not very loyal to a face wash but I am extremely loyal to my Clinique Superdefense Moisturizer. I love that it has SPF and makes my skin so soft. I use Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment, mostly for the softness effect as well. As for makeup, I'm pretty minimal and tend to stick with the same things. I love Clinique Airbrush Concealer because it melts into my skin and it's impossible to mess up when applying. I've used Benefit Benetint for my blush on and off for a few years and always come back to it. It's so easy to use, provides the perfect color and smells like roses! I use Laura Mercier Eyeliner and Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara, although I am always trying new mascaras. Occasionally I use Urban Decay eyeshadow - I really like the color Sin and I also use their Naked palette. I rarely wear lip products, but I am a huge fan of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments and have almost every color. My favorites are the original, rose and coral - so easy to use and smell AMAZING!

I'm always on the hunt to try new things and right now I have my sights set on Shu Uemura Mascara and their Eyelash Curler and am on the hunt for an easy-to-use liquid eyeliner - any recommendations will be happily accepted!

What are your favorite beauty products? I love discovering new ones!

(photo taken by me for dreams + jeans)

Comments

[Mackenzie {Design Darling}]

I am so glad you did this! Bookmarking so I can try some of your faves, especially for my unruly hair situation. Thank you in advance! ;)

[Melissa]

Love this post! I'm totally a minimal makeup girl. I recently picked up NARS velvet matte lip pencil in Bolero and I'm obsessed. It goes on matte & isn't sticky - it's my new every day lip color.

[Katie]

Great post! I love hearing what other people use. I'm always on the look out for new, great products. Thanks!

I love my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, Amazing Cosmetics concealer (really great!), and I swear by Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express mascara (cheap but I've found it works just as well as expensive ones).

[Amy]

So glad to see you did this beauty post, as promised ;) ! Loved reading through it all. I really want to try the Clinique Airbrush Concealer you mentioned!

My favorite beauty products: Kiehl's Bath & Shower Liquid Body Wash in Pour Homme (smells so good), Orly 'Bonder' - base coat for nail polish, Seche Vite - top coat for nail polish, Sephora's Instant Nail Polish Remover (http://www.sephora.com/instant-nail-polish-remover-P297134?skuId=1350263) really...it smells fantastic and is a life saver!, NARS Blush, and MAC Studio Tech powder / Mineralize Skin Finish.

-amy

[Amy]

Link was broken, apologies. Here: http://www.sephora.com/instant-nail-polish-remover-P297134?skuId=1350263