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Loving Right Now

Beauty Favorites Haircare Skincare

Best Skin + Hair Care of 2021

December 31, 2021

Best Skincare + Hair Care of 2021

I’m wrapping up the year with a best of Skincare and Hair Care favorites roundup of 2021. This year has been a very sad one for us, if you follow me along on social you know we had to say goodbye to Lucy this past week. We are very grateful she made it through Christmas with us. She was a very happy dog and we feel so lucky to have had her in our life for 17 years. We have family in town for a couple of days to help distract us with their company. To all who lost a loved one this year, my heart goes out to you!

In my effort to end the year on a positive note, here is by Best of Skin Care and Hair Care for the year with my top picks in each category.

Best Skincare 2021

Face Cleansers

Makeup Removers / Micellar Cleansers

Toner/Essence/Serum

Moisturizer

Best Skincare Hair Care 2021

 

Scrub/Exfoliators/Treatments/Masks

Eye Treatment

Night Treatment

Body Care + Lip Care

Hair Shampoo + Conditioner + Mask

Hair Styling

Hope you are ending the year on a good note! I’m hopeful for a better year next year. I have a lot to be grateful for with so many good things even though there were a lot of tough moments this year. Sending you all lots of love!

 

Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Loving Right Now

August 8, 2021

Jo Malone Diffuser Lime Basil and Mandarin

Sharing a roundup of some recent favorites I’ve been loving lately. I have a mix of some things for the home, hair plus a few beauty items as well.

For the Home

Barefoot Dreams Blankets Nordstrom Sale

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic – Quick reminder today is the last day for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (8/8). They still have a lot of Barefoot Dreams Blankets colors available in the CozyChic Throw (on sale for $97.90) and In The Wild Throw Blanket ($119.90).

The CozyChic Leopard Pet Bed is also available in both colors in the Medium Size (on sale $98.90). I own the large for our pets but just ordered a second in the Medium Size before the sale is over. They’re both obsessed!

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Leopard Pet Bed

Jo Malone Scent Surround Diffuser in Lime Basil and Mandarin ($100) is a full-priced item and I decided to give their diffusers another try. I remember trying them many years ago and thought they were just ok, but so many have been asking for diffuser recommendations (over candles and sprays) I decided to try them. It will take a few hours for the fragrance to fill the reed sticks but I am so impressed. It’s strong enough to fill our kitchen and living room area.

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Diffuser

Nest Bamboo and Grapefruit Diffuser Set ($67 on sale, $100 value) is another brand that has been highly recommended. I love their candles (especially during the holiday) but never really looked into the diffusers. These caught Andrew’s eye in store because of the Nest Gray Malin Collaboration (the glass jars come in different colored stripes). They were sold out of the one we wanted in store so we decided to try the Nordstrom Sale Set with Bamboo and Grapefruit.

NEST Bamboo & Grapefruit Diffuser Set

These are even stronger and more potent than the ones from Jo Malone and both are really pleasant and fresh. The glass jar is very sturdy and large. I found it also took about an hour or two before the oil was soaked up into the reeds.

For the Body

Chanel L’Huile Vanille Body Massage Oil ($230) is quite the splurge for the body but one of the best ones I’ve tried. I love the soft vanilla scent and it smells just like the Sublimage skincare line. It is a fluid lightweight oil and feels super luxurious on the skin. I do wish it came with a dropper or had a stopper at the top for easier application but I think the formula is really nice. I’ve been tempted to try the other scents too but the bottle is so large it will take me a long time to use it up so I’m sticking with one for now.

Chanel L'Huile Vanille Body Oil

Diptyque Do Son is another unique favorite for me right now. I love the Do Son Hand Cream ($45) as it comes with a pump dispenser in a sleek tube. I also really love the Do Son Eau de Toilette Hair Mist Travel Size Duo ($90 on sale at Nordstrom). It’s a unique floral scent with a mix of tuberose, jasmine and orange blossom.

Diptyque Do Son Hand Cream and Mini Perfume + Hair Mist

Diptyque Do Son Hand Cream and Mini Perfume + Hair Mist

Eye Makeup Neutrals

Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($48) is officially my favorite matte eyeshadow palette now. I initially thought it was over-hyped and to be frank the colors in the pan looked a little boring to me. After trying it for several weeks though I am really impressed. It’s so versatile and the colors are perfect for a wide range of looks. Texture is smooth, application is easy, lasting power is excellent.

Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks ($30 each) have been something I’ve used on and off for many years now. I’ve always gravitated towards the shimmer shades but they just added some more cream neutrals that are perfect for priming or evening out the lids. If you’re like me you’ve probably used a creamy concealer to even out the lids. If looking for a cream shadow with longer lasting power, I highly recommend checking out the newer shades. I like either Cashew or Sand Dune for my lids/skin tone.

Bobbi Brown Long-wear Cream Eyeshadow Sticks

Bobbi Brown Long-wear Cream Eyeshadow Sticks swatches

Lip Balm

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($22) has finally been repackaged into a more user-friendly tube and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The original packaging always seemed to ooze product out with the metal tube. It’s now a squeezable plastic. They have the original one (clear) and also added a tinted beige pink called Vanilla Beige. I highly recommend checking it out, available at Sephora and Summer Fridays.

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Lip Balm new packaging

Gucci Nail Polish

Gucci Nail Polish Annabel Rose swatch

Gucci Nail Polish in Annabel Rose ($30) last but not least a number of you have been asking how the Gucci Nail Polish has held up. My latest love is Annabel Rose which is a neutral beige with a hint of pink. I’m pretty impressed! Two coats gives full coverage and it has held up with no chips or tip wear by Day 7. I used the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat on top. Colors seem to be selling out at a number of places but at the time of this post it’s available at Nordstrom and Gucci.

What have you been loving lately?

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More soon including a look at some newness from Chanel, current hair care favorites and some more items I’ve hauled recently that I’ve been loving.

Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

10 Things I’m Loving Right Now

June 2, 2021

10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

Happy Wednesday! I’m rounding up 10 Things I’m Loving Right Now. A few of these I’ve mentioned on my Instagram Stories and thought I’d add some more detailed thoughts and include some swatches!

Shimmer Body Oils

Summer Fridays Pool Time Oil vs Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Oil

As a lover of a good body oil I ordered the new Summer Fridays Pool Time Glowing Body Oil from Sephora and love it! This is a limited-edition product and has a lightweight feel with a subtle glow. There is shimmer in it but it’s subtle on the skin. It has a coconut beach like scent that I find really subtle. I personally love the scent of the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil (which I find feels a tiny bit more textured in the shimmer) but they are both really lovely for summer. I have the mini shown, also available in a full size option.

If you love shimmer body oils, tell me if you think I need to try the Sunday Riley Fairy Godmother or the Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil.

Lip Favorites

Lip Favorites Huda, Too Faced, Hermes and Fresh

I have quite a few new lip loves! The new Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 Automatic Lip Pencils are creamy, opaque and super long wearing. These have a twist up style but there is also a sharpener in the cap to sharpen just the product. I ordered the neutrals sight unseen and have been loving Sandy Beige and Terracotta the most.

Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 Automatic Lip Pencils

I also really love the Huda Power Bullet Cream Glow Hydrating Lipsticks – they are creamy, opaque, smooth and have a good range of neutrals in pink and beige tones. I really love Honey Bun for my perfect neutral peach pink nude. I have a few more of these in my shopping cart. They have a pleasant, sweet smell to them, almost like cake!

Huda Power Bullet Cream Glow Hydrating Lipsticks

I’ve been a huge fan of the Too Faced Hangover Pillow Balm and could not be more thrilled they launched tinted flavored versions. They have a slight cooling sensation. Pigment is very very sheer but I think the flavors are really fun. My favorites are Mango and Banana. The only one I’m not a huge fan of is Cocoa Kiss because it smells like a Lip Smacker. Not a deal breaker, but just doesn’t give me the cocoa vibe as the name implies.

Too Faced Hangover Pillow Balm

I still reach for Fresh Sugar Balms the most these days (currently 25% off online at Sephora). I like the Sugar Advanced Therapy the most. For the flavored Sugar Hydrating Lip Balms I love the Coconut, Lime Mint and Lychee. I think they make some of the best scented lip balms on the market.

Also still loving the Hermes Rosy Lip Enhancer Lip Tints! Full review + swatches in this post here.

Chanel Loves

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Riviera Paris-Biarritz

I love all things Chanel and I find myself reaching for their bases quite frequently these days. For a good lightweight summer base I like the Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint with SPF30. I wear the shade Medium or Medium Plus. It offers a sheer lightweight finish that adds a subtle glow. For more coverage with a higher SPF the CC Cream is also one I swear by especially for the summertime.

I’ve shown a few of the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel perfumes I have. I love the travel size options because they’re purse friendly! My top two favorites are Paris-Riviera and Paris-Biarritz and as a citrus lover, I cannot pick between the two. Paris-Riviera is the more tangy sweet version, it has a mix of Sicilian Orange and Neroli I feel this is the slightly bolder version. Paris-Biarritz has Sicilian Mandarin and Lily of the Valley. It also has a bright vibe but has a slightly softer feel.

I’m super curious about the newest one Paris-Edimbourg, but also have my eye on the Dior Eden-Roc which I got a mini sample of and love (has a similar vibe to Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt), and the new Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Cologne Forte. Trying to decide on my next splurge!

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist

Last but not least, my latest love is the Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist. I also like the Rinse-Free Hand Wash version which is a lightweight gel but sometimes it’s nice to have a misting option! Both are also available in this cute Adventurer Roll Up Trio Set too. I did try the Geranium Leaf Version as well but I prefer the scent of the Resurrection formula. I cannot find the listing right now but the last time I checked the Aesop website these were listed as having 60% alcohol.

Loewe Square Basket Tote White, Tory Burch Basket Weave Sandals, Clear Makeup Bag

Also featured in this post: Loewe Square Raffia Tote (unboxing and quick modeling in this Birthday Haul reel), Celine pouch, The Daily Edited Clear Makeup Bag, Tory Burch Basket-Weave Sandals (love!!! runs true to size), Sunnies Celine

That wraps up my 10 Things I’m Loving Right now! Would love to hear what you’re loving these days. Have you tried anything in my roundup yet? What did you think?

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Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Loving Right Now

February 12, 2021

Loving Right Now Beauty Favorites | The Beauty Lookbook

Happy Friday! I’m rounding up a few things I’ve been loving right now. I have a mix of things for hair, lips, nails and more I’ve had in rotation. As always I’d love to hear yours as well!

Hair Care Loves

Anti-Frizz Hair Oils and Serums | The Beauty Lookbook

For hair care there are four things I’ve been loving lately! I’ve still been obsessed with the Living Proof Instant De-frizzer to help smooth out the hair. It dispenses a super fine mist. I spray on dry hair and brush it through. I’ve gone through several minis of this one!

I remember back in the day when the original Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom was in every magazine and considered a cult classic. Did you use this in the early 2000s? Or do you still use it? I haven’t used Kiehl’s haircare in quite some time but ordered the Silk Groom Serum and the Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate to try and am 100% obsessed. I’ve been using both as a pre-heat treatment before blow drying. Out of the two I prefer the Silk Groom Serum because it has a more lightweight feel. It really does help smooth hair and add shine without weighing it down.

The Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Concentrate has a sweeter scent to it, it’s also a bit heavier but not too heavy. If you have super dry hair I’d recommend this one. For me I like to add it on the ends (dry).

For those who want the best of the best, I still feel the Hair Rituel by Sisley Precious Hair Care Oil is the best hair oil I’ve tried.

Tinted Lip Oils

Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss

For lips I’ve re-discovered my Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss for a soft balm like oil/gloss in one. The colors are perfect for everyday, I want to order a few more shades. Colors shown New Romantic and In the Buff, but I’ve also swatched two others I have.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss swatches

Bobbi Brown Loves

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer and Eye Base

The Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer has been a long-time favorite and I started using it again in conjunction with the Vitamin Enriched Eye Base. I like both for a good everyday moisturizer cream for the face and eyes. I like the Eye Base because it’s creamy but not too heavy or thick.

Neutral Nails

Favorite OPI Neutrals Tiramisu for Two, Pale to the Chief, Samoan Sand, Machu PeachU

I just did a fun Pink and Red nail polish roundup, but the OPI Neutrals still have my heart. I feel Samoan Sand is the best everyday neutral clean polished beige that makes my hands look more put together. I also really love Pale to the Chief, Tiramsu for Two and Machu Peach-U.

Favorite OPI Neutrals Tiramisu for Two, Pale to the Chief, Samoan Sand, Machu PeachU swatches

Glowy Base Favorites

Glow Base Essentials Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath

For my base, the top items I’ve been reaching for the most are the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (I wear B40 or BD41, swatched here) and the Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops (swatched here and here).

As always I rely on the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter almost daily for a natural glow (I wear 3, 4 and 4.5 depending on how glowy I want to be, swatches here).

I’ve also still been loving Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation (Light Medium 14, review here) and the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Concealer (swatches here) for a good everyday base.

My New Favorite Eyeshadow Palette

Too Faced Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

For the eyes, my latest discovery is the Too Faced The Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette. This launched a while ago and it had been on my radar for a while. I was worried it might be too warm or glittery but it’s actually perfect. I think this may be my new favorite eyeshadow palette of the year! Let me know if you want a full review + swatches.

Current Mascara Obsession

Maybelline Sky High Mascara

Last but not least, I have been obsessed with the Maybelline Sky High Mascara. I’ve tried both the regular and waterproof version and like them both. It’s still pretty hard to find online but I’ve seen it restock several times at Target, Ulta and Walmart. If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend giving it a look! It’s one of the few rubber applicators that actually works for me!

What have you been loving lately? New reviews coming soon including the Pat McGrath Divine Rose Collection (spoiler alert is that it’s amazing), new Chanel and some NARS newness too.

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Let me know what you have been loving lately!

Beauty Favorites

2020 Beauty Favorites

December 31, 2020

2020 Beauty Favorites | The Beauty Look Book

Happy New Years Eve! I cannot believe the year is ending and am hopeful for a better one in 2021. Thank you to each and every one of you who stuck around through the highs and the lows. I know it has been a trying and emotional year for all of us. I am truly thankful from the bottom of my heart to those who have showed kindness, positivity and support – it means more to me than I could express in words.

I have a 2020 beauty favorites roundup! I’m rounding up my Top 25 of the year. Here is my list (in alphabetical order). If you’d like to share your favorites let me know in the comments! It doesn’t have to be a long list like mine – I’d love to hear about anything you loved in the beauty world this year.

  1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation – one of my favorite glow foundations of the year (swatches + on the face here)
  2. Blvgari Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc* – best calming fresh everyday perfume discovery (review here)
  3. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Sunny Flash* – favorite bronzey shimmer long-wear cream eyeshadow (swatches in this post)
  4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream – best cream bronzer (review here)
  5. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation – best new glow foundation of the year (review + swatches here)
  6. Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops* – prettiest soft pink opal fluid highlighter (swatches here)
  7. Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette Fire Rose – prettiest quad from Charlotte Tilbury (review + swatches here)
  8. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Highlighter – best most unique highlighter launch this year (review + swatches here)
  9. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder – holy grail of setting powders (best of Charlotte Tilbury round up here)
  10. Cle de Peau Stick Concealer – best full coverage spot concealer
  11. EM Cosmetic Lip Cushion* – best glow lipstick (swatches here)
  12. EM Cosmetics Soft Blur Lip Pencil* – best lip liner formula (swatches here)
  13. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Sculpture Palette – most used cheek palette (review here)
  14. Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream Moisturizer* – best moisturizer of the year for me
  15. La Mer Lip Volumizer – favorite lip plumper
  16. NARS Climax Extreme Mascara* – favorite new mascara launch this year
  17. Natasha Denona Glam Eyeshadow Palette* – best neutral-cool eyeshadow palette (review here), also love her Mini Glam (swatches here)
  18. Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Concealer* – best new concealer launch (swatches here)
  19. Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Setting Powder* – best under eye setting powder
  20. Sisley Le-Phyto Gloss – best new gloss formula (review here)
  21. Sisley Hair Oil* – remains my favorite hair oil of all time
  22. Sisley Velvet Nourishing Body Cream* – best body moisturizer I tried this year
  23. Sol De Janeiro Hand Sanitizer – one of my favorite buys of the year
  24. Supergoop! CC Cream – favorite face sunscreen (I wear 326W)
  25. Too Faced Hangover Rx Lip Balm – favorite new discovery for lip balms

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

Makeup Favorites

 

 

Press Samples have a * next to them.

Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

10 Things I’m Loving Right Now

November 22, 2020

10 Things I'm Loving Right Now | The Beauty Look Book

Sharing 10 Things I’m Loving Right Now today! A few of my favorite everyday staples that I have had in rotation lately.

Glowing Base Favorites

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Flawless Lumiere Foundation

For my base I’ve really been loving that natural glow. Two favorites are the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand 3N1 (1) and the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance Perfecting Foundation in Latte 3N1.5 (2). You can see the before/after application of the Tinted Moisturizer on my face here and the Flawless Lumiere in this post as well. Both offer a nice natural glow to the skin with good lasting power.

Quick tip: Sephora carries the Tinted Moisturizer in a Mini Size in case you wanted to try it out before committing to buying the full size. They also have a Prime+Perfect Set you can customize as well which has more mini sizes.

Best Setting Powder

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder Medium | The Beauty Look Book

The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finished Pressed Powder in Medium (3) remains my go-to setting power. I use it pretty much daily for setting or touch ups. This one is not on sale, but Charlotte Tilbury has launched their Early Black Friday Deals with savings of 30% off on some of her bundles. In case you missed it I have my Best of Charlotte Tilbury post you can check out if you want more recommendations!

Neutral Mini Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette swatches

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette (4) was a recent beauty buy. It is a mini version of their Soft Glam Palette. There are 2 shades in the mini that are slightly different than the full size version. If you have the original you don’t really need the new one unless you’ve used it up or are looking for a convenient travel size version. The colors are super smooth and easy to blend/layer. They look a little boring in the pan but it’s a really great palette that has everything you need for a complete eye look!

Beauty look wearing all my favorites in this post:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Eye Staples

Eye Makeup Staples Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel

I’ve also been loving the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadow in Copper Sunrise (5, new shade reviewed here) for a soft wash of color. It’s a nice one and done kind of color and super flattering on the eyes! So many of you have messaged me asking for a good long-wear eyeliner, I think it depends whether you want a pencil or liquid but for pencil, my go-to has been the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner (6, swatches here). I like a lot of the colors and am wearing Black Wood in this post.

Cheek Favorites

Everyday Makeup Favorites

Cheek Favorites Tom Ford and Hourglass

For the cheeks I like a simple mix of bronzer + shimmery blush. I’ve been reaching for the Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Gold Dust (7) and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Sublime Flush (8, reviewed + swatched here) as a nice versatile mix.

Pillow Talk

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Swatches

Last but not least – the combo that gets me the most compliments and questions “what are you wearing on your lips?” is the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk (9) + Charlotte Tilbury Jewel Lips in Pillow Talk (10) combination. I love ALL the Pillow Talk Lip colors and many of you want to know “do I need them all?” especially for the glosses. I personally think I do, but if you don’t want dupes or colors that are too similar here are the colors swatched side by side.

My take on the difference between the glosses:

  • Lip Lustre is most opaque and has a more dusty rose color (on the face/lips here and here)
  • Collagen Lip Bath is the most sheer out of the three, has a translucent finish and gives the lips the most full plump effect (without the tingle, other colors also swatched here)
  • Jewel Lips has some shimmer, is brighter in undertone, super glossy (review here too)

You can find the Lipstick, Liner, Collagen + Jewel Lips in her 4-piece Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set ($45).

 

That wraps up my 10 Things I’m Loving Right Now! Would love to hear what you are loving lately. Any beauty staples you have in rotation that you can’t get enough of?

 

Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Summer Beauty Staples on Repeat

August 14, 2020

Summer Beauty Staples

I’m rounding up a few of my summer beauty staples and favorites I’ve had in rotation lately. Even though we’re at home most of the time now having a routine to get dressed and put on some makeup helps keep me feeling more like myself and somewhat normal – even if it’s low key or super casual.

Summer Bases

Best Summer Foundations and Powder

For powder I will have a new updated roundup soon (my last Pressed and Loose Powder Roundup was in 2018! how time flies!). Right now I have a tie between the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium (always a favorite) and the new Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Honey*. It’s a new tinted setting powder with honey and yellow undertones. It leaves a soft satiny smooth matte for my medium tan skin, doesn’t have any flashback and lasts a long time.

For foundations and tinted moisturizers I recently shared my new Summer Base Edit in July reviewing new formulas. I do like to rotate but out of all the ones I’ve tried (new and go-to’s) my current top three right now are:

Summer Beauty Staples | The Beauty Look Book

Best Cream Bronzer

The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is my go-to to warm up and add a natural bronzey look. You can see the full review here. A number of you asked what brushes I use for this and I added a few videos to my Instagram Story Highlights @beautylookbook under the CHANEL feature. I like the Tom Ford Brush 02, Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush, Real Techniques Brush 200 and Zoeva 135 Petite Face Brush* but you can use any cream product brush to apply and blend.

Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream

Luminous Summer Bronzers

I love so many formulas for bronzer. It is hard to pick just one favorite but one formula that I’ve used for years is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer. I prefer bronzing powders with a luminous shimmer (versus full matte) and the colors from Hourglass are frequently in rotation. Luminous Bronze Light and Radiant Bronze light are my favorites for the face, although if you’re fair they might turn orangey on your skin. In that case I would recommend you try Diffused Bronze Light or Nude Bronze Light as they have a different undertone. I will often use Diffused Bronze Light as an eyeshadow too.

I added a swatch of the new Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder which I can use as a soft all over glow powder (more on this in my powder roundup coming soon).

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer

Eye Makeup Staples

My top three simple eye makeup staples this summer have been a good cream shimmer shadow like the By Terry Ombre Blackstars in Sunny Flash (swatched here), deep black eyeliner like the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner (reviewed here) and the new Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara* (perfect for length and volume).

Eye Makeup Favorites By Terry, Victoria Beckham Eyeliner and Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara

Top Summer Perfumes

I feel like it’s been forever since I did a perfume review or roundup but some of you  have been asking what I’ve been loving this summer so here are my top picks. Jo Malone Yuja Cologne is a citrus-lover’s dream come true. It’s a soft sweet citrus and limited-edition. I’m considering buying the larger bottle before it’s gone forever.

For the ultimate soft white floral with a hint of coconut Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc has been a favorite for years. To me it’s similar to the classic Soleil Blanc, but right now I’m using the softer version.

My favorite citrus scent is the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in the Paris-Biarritz perfume. It has a mix of mandarin and lily for a softer citrus scent and to me is the perfect summer perfume. Since it’s warm and sunny most of the year in Florida I like this year round. (Mine shown is the travel size).

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt is my year-round go to regardless of season. I think it works well for a unisex scent and is so unique to me. I try and get minis with GWPs anytime I can so I can carry one my purse. I also love their mini sets which is the best way to sample their perfumes to see which ones work best on your skin. The Jo Malone Cologne Collection Set from Nordstrom is a great value for the Anniversary Sale. Sephora has a Mini Discovery Set available too (smaller spritzers) and a few Mini Duos with Wood Sage + Sea Salt / Peony Blush Suede and Wood Sage + Sea Salt / English Pear and Freesia. I’ll link a few other sampler discovery sets in the widget at the bottom of the post.

Best Summer Perfumes Jo Malone, Tom Ford and Chanel

Long-Wear Tan + Summer Lips

One thing I don’t use a lot of is self tanner. The Florida sun is enough to get a tan in just a few minutes even with sunscreen and being covered up. Still a lot of you have asked what a good self tanning product that doesn’t have a heavy scent and I always recommend the By Terry Tea to Tan*. You can use this on the face or chest and it doesn’t transfer on me. It’s really subtle – just spray on a brush and then buff it in anywhere you want a tan. It will wash off but when I use this it will last all day.

These days I have a love/hate relationship with lip products. It’s pretty annoying having to take off lipstick or gloss when you wear a mask outside. I still keep a balm or gloss with me in my purse out of habit. At home my favorite colors to wear are peaches or corals. I really love the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Tang Thang, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump and the Sisley Le Phyto Lip Gloss in Paradise.

Below wearing: Eric Javits Hampton Hat in Cream (on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Rails Cotton Ellis Shirt in Small (similar from Topshop, more colors from Rails here), Celine 48mm Sunglasses, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump, Smith and Cult Nail Polish in Poppy Papi*

Summer Staples By Terry Tea to Tan Bronzer and Peach Lips Fenty, Sisley and Charlotte Tilbury

Summer Accessories

I’m going to have a roundup of my favorite accessories soon as some of you have asked for side by sides and more try-ons in a single post for easy reference. I cannot live without sunglasses in Florida and I do not understand how some people can go outside without wearing them! The sun is so bright here it’s almost blinding. We’ve been in Florida 3 and a half years now and I’ve found hats to be essential. In San Diego I rarely wore hats even though it’s still pretty sunny there.

Left: I bought the Brixton Lera Straw Fedora and the Small size works for my head which is 22 inches around. Medium also works (accidentally bought this one in my Nordstrom haul) but definitely feels a little loose. I don’t like hats too tight because I get a lot of hair breakage. My Celine 48 mm Cat Eye Sunglasses were a splurge in Miami last year and I really love them. For hair I’m never without the Slip Pure Silk Scrunchies. They don’t cause any breakage with my color-treated hair and don’t leave hair kinks when tied. I’m currently about 1/2 way there to growing out my highlights. My latest splurge you may have seen on stories are the Chloe Sandals. I ordered the white ones in a Size 7 which fit perfectly (I’m usually a 6.5 or 7 with narrow feet).

Right: My favorite sun hat the Eric Javits Hamptons Hat (100% worth the splurge, currently on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Celine 50mm Polarized Brown sunglasses (on the face here), and the Marc Fisher Marina Tie-Up Sandals.

Favorite Summer Accessories Brixton, Eric Javits, Chloe and Marc Fisher

Summer Beauty Favorites | The Beauty Look Book

That wraps up my summer beauty staples roundup! Hope you found this helpful if you’re looking for any new perfumes or bronzers to try out. If you have any favorites you want to share please let me know in the comments!

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Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.