2018

Hauls Sephora

Sephora Haul Picks + First Impressions

November 9, 2018

As promised I have my Sephora Beauty Insider Event haul and a giveaway! I shopped both online and in store during the days for Rouge savings. If you’re a VIB Member the good news is that this weekend is your weekend to shop the event! You can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS at checkout.

In case you missed my roundup recommendations, you can find my top makeup picks and top skin/hair and body picks detailed with links to previous reviews and swatches where applicable. I had so much on my wishlist that I wanted to stock up on but tried to limit myself to a few newer things that I have been wanting to try. I highly recommend browsing online first even if you’re heading to the store. Some things are online only and there are some better value sets online as well. I haven’t had a chance to try everything but I do have some first impressions on things I have tried.

Makeup Picks

Three of these things I picked up before the sale. I hauled some Too Faced items because I caved to the hype. I asked many of you on Instagram if you thought these lived up to all the raves and it was a 50/50 split. What I bought:

Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Spray (mini) – I haven’t had a chance to test this on the face, according to feedback from you it’s a hydrating spray but not the best as a makeup setting spray
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer – I tried this a couple times and can’t really tell if it makes a difference, it has a pleasant coconut-like scent to it and does have a hydrating feel, it is silicone-free so I’m trying to test it with silicone-free foundations
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara had really mixed reviews, based on a poll I did on Instagram, a handful told me it was your holy grail, but most did not like it. I tried the Waterproof version and it clumped like crazy I’ve decided to try the original.
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation looked nice when I swatched it in store, I haven’t had a chance to give it a proper test yet, but I did love their Ultra HD line, so I have high hopes. I bought shade Y375.
Marc Jacobs Shine a Light Gloss and See-Quins Shadows for holiday have already been reviewed and swatched here.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Milk is such a pretty white pearl, I bought and tried the original Fenty Glow but couldn’t stand the scent. I decided to try it again in the newer white color (it smells the same) and love the way it looks, undecided about the scent.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Rose Gold is a Sephora exclusive. I knew I had to have it. I’ve tried it and think it’s pretty. It’s one of the more sparkly ones. It didn’t really shift in color after applying it like the other shades do. Just a lot of sparkle but finish is smooth (no gritty finish from the shimmer).

Skincare Picks Part 1

REN CARE Gift Set has some calming product I’ve been wanting to try including the Evercalm Day Cream, Rescue Mask and Firming Beauty Shot. As we go into the colder dry season my skin is prone to irritation. I have high hopes as the day cream has been highly recommended by so many.
Shiseido Facial Cotton was a restock as the Sephora Collection Cotton Pads were out of stock online when I ordered (they’ve since restocked).
Fresh Rose Toner Mini was something I picked up at checkout. I’m always a sucker for minis and since I love the Rose Floral Toner Spray version decided to try this one.

Drunk Elephant Mega Haul

I hauled quite a bit of Drunk Elephant. I’ve loved their Baby Facial and Protini Polypeptide Cream. I even have Andrew using these! He’s obsessed and told me to restock on those. There are a lot of great sets with minis to try, some are online only. So many of you have asked for more Drunk Elephant reviews so I’m going to put what I purchased to the test and let you know.

Inspector Drunk Night Kit (top left) has five items for night skincare:
- full-size TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Lala Retro Whipped Cream
- mini C-Tango multivitamin eye cream
Agent Ellie Day Kit (bottom) comes with five items:
- full-size C-Firma Day Serum
- mini Shaba Complex Eye Serum
- mini Umbra Tint Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Protini Polypeptide Cream
TLC Sukari Baby Facial (middle) is the full-size individual version, but it also now comes in a mini size for $28 (versus the $80)
The Big Reveal Kit (right side hexagon box) comes with:
- full-size TLC Baby Facial and Lippe Balm
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

A few thoughts on what I’ve tested and what to buy. If you’re interested at all in the Baby Facial, I’d recommend just getting The Big Reveal Kit (online only). The Lippe Balm is a lot nicer than I anticipated! I’m wearing it right now as I type up this post. It’s hydrating, doesn’t really have a scent, feels nice 🙂 My skin loves the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum. I’m currently recovering from a skin flare up (due to 1 of 3 possible things I’m almost certain I’ve narrowed it down, but need to do some more testing on my face to be sure). The serum instantly relieved redness and soothed my skin.

I’ve tried the cleanser and think it’s nice but need to do more testing. Andrew is not a fan of the tinted sunscreen, but since he doesn’t really seem to be a fan of physical sunscreens it did not surprise me. We have a lot of testing to do, will keep you posted!

Hair Care Picks

Hair care picks include a few more Aquis Waffle Luxe Towels for workouts and so I have extra ones for my hair. I’ve been in search of a hair spray that is just a hair spray. These days there are so many added things in sprays like texture, volume, shine, etc. I think that’s great, but sometimes I just want something simple. The girls in the Sephora store recommended Living Proof so I picked up the Flex Spray in the mini size. A large number of you confirmed on Instagram stories that this is your favorite so I have high hopes!

For tools I ordered the T3 Whirl Trio before the sale but wanted to give it a mention. It’s always nice to be able to save on more expensive things like curling wands. I have dryers and straighteners I love but didn’t have a curling iron. This one has three interchangeable wands without the clips. I’ve played with it for a few weeks now and really love it. It heats up quickly and also comes with a glove to protect your hand so you don’t burn your fingers.

I also ordered a mini packet of the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut. I tried it last night and left it on for only 5 minutes. I’m almost at the 3 week mark post highlights and color is starting to fade. Since my hair was lifted it’s now getting a little lighter. The mask darkened my highlights in a subtle but noticeable way from honey to a slightly chestnut red brown. I think I could have left it on a little longer for a deeper effect but so far I like it! Hair is softer since it is a mask. I used up 1/2 the mini packet since I have a lot of hair and it is long. It’s supposed to last 3-5 washes. I’ll keep you updated on this. I really love all the things I’ve tried from Christophe Robin.

For masks I restocked on the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask. It also comes in this cute Mystical Minis Revive and Repair duo set if you want to try it in a smaller size. I had a chat with a friend about hair care the other day on shampoos and hair treatments for colored hair. Based on reader recommendations I bought the Oribe Color Safe Shampoo and Conditioner, but many of you also recommended the Kerastase Reflection Chromatique line. My friend swears by the same Kerastase (she said the one in the bright pink tubes) which is available at Sephora now. I wish I had ordered them during the Rouge event days! I might still place an order as I go through shampoo really fast anyways and will probably use up the Oribe very soon.

That wraps up my Sephora haul! I have a never ending list of things I want to try and I’m sure you do too! If you’re shopping the Sephora Beauty Insider Event for VIB, uou can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS. There are exclusions and restrictions on their website so make sure you check the details. You can shop the post here:

I’m hosting another giveaway! I’m going through my beauty vault and picked out some Tom Ford Beauty items including a few harder to find items to giveaway to 1 winner. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Items I’m giving away include brand new full sizes of 7 items including: Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara, Lip Slick in Spiked Chery, Moisturecore Lipstick in Pipa, Eyeshadow Duo in AW16, Lips + Boys Cooper, Lips + Boys Jagger and Duo Blush in Lavender Lure.

To enter for a chance to win simply enter through the widget below with at least one of the steps.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway runs through 11/13/2018 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be picked within 48 hours and contacted by e-mail. They must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

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Base Makeup

Concealer Roundup: Cle de Peau Beaute, MAC, First Aid Beauty, Cover FX + Sisley

November 8, 2018

I have a concealer roundup today on some newer formulas I’ve been testing from a number of brands. Today I’m covering concealers from Cle de Peau Beaute, MAC, First Aid Beauty, Cover FX, Sisley plus another look at Charlotte Tilbury. There are so many different types of concealers on the market and each formula has a different purpose. Finding one that works for you truly depends on where you want to use it, how much coverage you want and also your skin type. Your moisturizer and foundation routine are also important in finding formulas that are right for you depending on whether or not they contain silicone, if they’re oil-free or not, etc. I’ll be giving you my thoughts on each formula and how I think they work the best. At the end I’ll give my recommendations by coverage/type.

I do want to mention briefly that I appreciate the discussions these days about expanding shade ranges and inclusion. Many brands still have a long way to go including some of the ones I’m featuring today. I know readers who are very fair or very deep have challenges finding options they can wear when color ranges are so limited. I think bringing awareness to brands about color gaps will help them learn more about where they need to expand. We’ve seen some brands take the feedback to heart and expand their ranges!

First is a look at the First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Bendy Avocado Concealer ($22 for 0.17 oz/4.8 g). This is one of the few I feel rivals my favorite NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. In general I like a creamy concealer that has a medium coverage. I don’t usually do spot cover-ups – usually under the eyes or around the nose/mouth where I have redness. For the most part my foundation does most of the covering I need. The First Aid Beauty Hello Fab concealer has a luminous finish that is weightless and glides onto the skin. I like that it’s been compatible with all the foundations I’ve tried. It doesn’t drag, cake or crease. It blends in well with the skin. I like Shade 3 the best for brightening. It comes with a soft flexible sponge tip applicator which I like the best. Available in 7 shades at Sephora and First Aid Beauty.

MAC Studio Fix 24 Hour Liquid Concealer ($22 for 7 ml) is another great option that’s multi-purpose. It has medium to full coverage on me. It’s creamy and blends in easily with the skin. I can use it to brighten or spot conceal and it does last on me all day without budging. It has more coverage compared to the First Aid Beauty and NARS options with a slightly more opaque feel. It comes in 33 shades in both warm and cool undertones. I found the colors ran a little bit lighter than the other MAC concealers I’ve tried. I use NC35 in the Pro Longwear Concealer (full coverage and thick). In the Studio Fix 24 Hour version I found NC38 and 40 to be a better match. I haven’t tested it for a full 24 hours but it did last all day on me. Under the eyes it can pull a bit heavy especially if you have dry skin in which case I’d recommend you just make sure your under eye is primed with a good serum or opt for something more creamy or emollient like the First Aid Beauty or NARS options. Available at MAC, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty.

Cle de Peau Beaute is a brand I try to stay away from because I’m always afraid I’ll fall in love with something but don’t want to because of the high price points. The quality cannot be beat in many of their products. Their Concealer was a go-to for a long time for opaque full coverage. I used to use the colors Beige and Almond. Since moving to Florida I have darkened and am more tan so Ocher is the color I use now. They reformulated the Concealer with SPF 25 ($70 for 5g/0.17 oz) and I found it to perform the same as the original. It’s very opaque and a little goes a long way. Since it is very opaque if you’re using it under eyes I find the best way for me to apply is by warming up a little on the finger then dabbing it under the eyes and blend. A number of you asked for a review on the Radiant Corrector for Eyes ($65 for 2.2 ml/0.08 oz). This is easier to use under the eyes for me. It comes in a click applicator with brush. It has enough coverage and pigment to cover some darkness. It is more emollient and creamier so it does not have a flat matte finish like the stick. Even though I consider myself a die-hard NARS fan I find myself reaching for this one a lot for under the eyes. Color-wise the Concealer Stick in Ocher has always been slightly too olive for me but it does work once blended. The Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher has a little bit more gold which is perfect for me right now. I also did look at Almond which on my tan skin looked a little pink. When it comes to under eyes I don’t need an exact match – sometimes having a little peach or pink can really help to counter darkness. I could have gone either way, but picked Ocher since I tan really easily. Both are available at multiple retailers, I usually purchase my items direct from Cle de Peau, Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus.

I re-swatched all the Cle de Peau stick concealers below from a sampler card I got as a GWP. I only have 1 swatch for the Radiant Corrector in Ocher which is the one I bought.

Sisley Stylo Lumiere Radiance Booster Pen ($65 each) comes in 4 shades and is a highlighting pen I like to use in place of concealer under the eyes. This really does give the complexion a brightened radiant look and to me performs better than the cult classic YSL Touche Eclat. Coverage is medium and natural. I simply twist click the product into the sponge and apply directly on the face in a few dots under the eyes – usually 3 per eye. Then I blend with fingers and set with powder. It stays put on me all day long. I use Shade 3 and really wish it came in more color options for others – the formula is really good! Available at Sisley-Paris, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Beautylish.

Cover FX Power Play Concealer ($30 for 10 ml) is a full coverage concealer. It’s one of the best full-coverage concealers I’ve tried for spot coverage. They also say you can use to highlight and contour – I’ve tried both and for me the coverage is really opaque and intense so using it for either works only if my base is slightly dewy. If I use a tinted moisturizer or glowy base I can add the Power Play on top to add more coverage, highlight or correct under the eyes. If I use a full coverage base underneath this concealer can be prone to dragging because it does have a semi-matte finish. The good things about this formula: it has smooth full coverage, comes in a wide shade range, stays put and doesn’t crease. They have a useful chart to help you find your shades. I use G40 and G50 mixed in the Power Play foundation (reviewed here). I found the colors G Medium 1 or 2 worked best for me.

I do not think this will work for you if you have super dry skin or use a super matte foundation. I do think dry skin can be adjusted by making sure you are well moisturized and primed, but if you have a lot of fine lines or creases this may emphasize them. Your best bet is to go to a Sephora or Ulta and try in person. I do think the Cover FX line is great for the variety of undertones they have. I struggle to find yellow/golden colors and they have the G range which is great for me. They also have the G+ range which is more olive than I can wear, but great for those who are truly olive.

For spot coverage this is a win. For under eyes/highlighting I have other favorites as this one is very opaque and I prefer more creamy/sheer for those areas.

Last but not least I wanted to give the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away another look since it’s newer and thought it would be helpful to put in the roundup. I still really like this for a full coverage concealer and for me it does work under the eyes. I find it compatible with the Charlotte Tilbury foundations which are natural in finish. A large number of you have messaged me on social that you had challenges with this formula to which I have a few thoughts. One is a little goes a very long way – you just need a tiny bit! Two is the applicator can be problematic when applying and blending. I use the applicator to dot on areas I want to apply then blend with a separate sponge. Three is that since it’s so opaque and full coverage it probably will not be good under the eyes if you have dry skin. I’d recommend priming the area with a nice emollient serum or any of her glow products. My full review here.

Based on all the new product testing I think there are some nice options for concealing whether you’re looking for a spot concealer or under eye brightener. Thoughts on which formulas I think are best:

For under the eyes my top picks are the First Aid Beauty, Sisley Stylo Lumiere and Cle de Peau Radiant Corrector for Eyes
For spot concealing I think the Cle de Peau, Cover FX and Charlotte Tilbury are the best
Best versatile formulas are the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and MAC 24-Hour
Best highlighting formula is the NARS and First Aid Beauty formulas
Favorite formula is still the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

That wraps up my concealer roundup review! I hope you found this helpful. I didn’t mention about setting but I always set everything with a powder to make it last. My favorite powders in this post here. If you’ve tried any of these let me know in the comments what worked or what didn’t!

Update: I’ve been getting a lot of questions about other formulas. These aren’t all the ones I’ve tried, this roundup just covers the newer more recent launches. A few other reviews you may find helpful:

Press samples include the MAC 24-Hour Concealer, Cover FX Power Play, Sisley Stylo Lumiere and First Aid Beauty Hello Fab.

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Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty Holiday 2018

November 7, 2018

I picked up a few of the holiday items from Marc Jacobs Beauty this year and think all the pieces are beautiful! They describe this as being a high-glam collection with glittering jewel tones for eyes and gold glam highlights for lips and cheeks. Everything is listed as limited-edition but I hope they will keep the highlighter as a permanent item. What I bought:

O! Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer in Gilty ($49 for 10 g/0.35 oz, made in Canada)
Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss in Shine a Light ($28 for .16 fl oz/ 5 mL, made in USA)
See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Gleam Girl, Topaz Flash and Copperazzi ($28 each for 3.5 g/0.12 oz, made in USA)

The entire vibe of the collection is indeed shimmering and glam. I think the lip gloss and cheek highlighter are glowing but conservative enough for the natural makeup wearer while the eye shadows are full out glitz and glam. Swatches and thoughts on each piece starting with the O! Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer in Gilty which is a stunning gold.

This one is described as a warm peachy gold but I find it more complex than that. It’s not quite as sharp as a duo chrome shimmer but as I move my arm or hand in the light I can definitely see a shift in color depending on the angle. It has a warm gold shimmer and a soft peach base with a hint of rose-gold on my olive skin. I think this one is going to suit a wide range of skin tones, on me it’s definitely highlighter material but not a pale one. If you have fair skin this will look deeper perhaps a little bronzey gold on your skin. I think this will look amazing on deeper skin tones too. Shimmer is visible but it’s smooth and does not emphasize lines. It’s not a glaring frost with one swipe but you can layer for more intensity. A look at how the color glows depending on whether direct sunlight hits the pan below.

Swatches heavy vs light/blended:

The Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer in Shine A Light looks like a yellowed multi-chrome gold with pink and green flashes in the tube. On the lips it’s a lot prettier than what I see in the tube which I’d describe as a multi-shimmer deeper nude gold with pink flashes. I love a pretty gold shimmer for holiday, this one is pretty alone or layered! It’s true to Marc Jacobs gloss formula – smooth, no sticky tacky feel, cushiony and comes with a flexible sponge applicator. Even though it’s loaded with sparkle there’s no gritty feel or texture.

On bare lips, photos don’t do it justice:

Also a few swatch comparisons to a few similar looking colors, NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers in At First Sight and Cape Town, Marc Jacobs Cream and Sugar, Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss 712, Becca Glow Gloss in Champagne Creme. I’ve linked the previous reviews if you want to see colors on my lips.

The See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadows are full out glam party shadows. They’re pressed pigments and come with an insert to keep everything in place. The glitter and shimmer is quite intense but pretty for holiday. I’m not sure I could wear them for everyday looks, but I found the color Topaz Flash to be the most conservative for my skin tone. Gleam Girl is a glistening champagne beige sparkle, Topaz Flash is a complex bronze taupe smoke, Copperazzi is a warm orangey copper sparkle. I did not have an easy time using a brush to apply these, for me fingers were the best option for control, less fallout and better color payoff. If you use a brush I’d recommend a dense synthetic one like the MAC 242S or something similar. Once on the eyes if you don’t touch them there’s no fall out and they stayed put all day. If you touch your eyes there will be some sparkle transfer.

By comparison the Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats have a sheerer base and more conservative sparkle (and those are still intense!). The Hourglass Scattered Light shadows are more refined in sparkle with less chunky glitter. If you want shine and shimmer but no glitter the new Armani Eyes to Kill Stellar are beautiful sheerer options without glitter. I swatched them at the counter and want them all but have not caved to buy yet.

I can’t say one is better than the other in this case. My recommendation would be based on how much you like or dislike glitter. I think Topaz Flash is my favorite. Since it’s a little deeper it makes for a pretty smokey eye on my complexion.

Below a look with three pieces from the collection, also wearing:

Armani Power Fabric Foundation in 6.5
Marc Jacobs Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder * to set
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette *
Marc Jacobs See-Quins Shadow in Topaz Flash all over lids
Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Flesh and Fantasy * on cheeks
Marc Jacobs O!Mega Glaze Luminizer in Gilty to highlight
Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss in Shine a Light on Lips
brush shown is the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Buffer Brush *

Overall pretty and glowing! In this world of highlighter overload Marc Jacobs has managed to launch one that I think is unique enough to justify owning even though I already have so many other options. Gold with any yellow tones can be hard for me to wear because I have yellow/olive undertones but Gilty has enough warmth with a shift in the shimmer to prevent it from being full on 24K yellow on my skin. I definitely wouldn’t call this a NEED simply because I have so many highlighters already, but I do really love it.

I really like the way Shine A Light looks on the lips. In the tube I was a little worries about the yellow-greenish flashes of shimmer but once on the lips I don’t see any green. It’s ultra smooth without any tacky feel. It does have a slight minty taste but no tingle (at least not on me). It has a transparent quality to it which allows your natural lip color to show through.

The See-Quins Glam Glitter Shadows are going to be hit or miss for many of you. They are very glitzy pressed pigments and they are intense. Definitely fun for the holiday season and I think the quality, color payoff and pigment are excellent. But if you’re more conservative makeup wearer I’d suggest trying in person before buying to be safe. I bought the most neutral options but there’s a really phenomenal purple color with some other shades you might want to check out. If you are conservative and want to go a little bolder with the eyes I still think the Pat McGrath Opulence Collection Palettes are the way to go. They have enough shimmer and glam to give you a bolder look but aren’t too crazy with the sparkle.

You can find the Marc Jacobs Beauty Holiday 2018 collection out now. Everything is limited-edition. I bought mine from Sephora and Neiman Marcus. Also available at Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think? If not – what’s your favorite gold colored highlighter?

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Haircare

Hair Care Hydration, Oils and Treatment Testing Roundup

November 6, 2018

My hair care routine has changed a little over the past few weeks as I colored my hair for the first time ever with highlights! Some of the hair care items I had been testing and wanted to review had to be re-tested with colored hair as I’ve found it a bit drier in texture and in need of more moisture. The good news is most of my styling staples fortunately have still worked for me! What has changed though is the need for different shampoo, conditioner and more hair masks.

I’ve really loved trying hair oils and my staples still continue to be the ones below:

Ouai Hair Oil is great for a nice lightweight shine, the floral scent might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it did grow on me the more I used it
Hair Rituel by Sisley Precious Hair Care Oil which is probably my favorite finishing oil for ends and to add shine that isn’t heavy or thick
Moroccanoil Treatment is the most versatile product for pre-heat styling to smooth hair and also works to finish the ends and remove flyaways
Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil is also a nice lightweight oil that I add on the ends as a finishing product

All of these worked for my normal thick hair, now that it’s colored I feel the Sisley and Moroccanoil work best to add shine. A couple that don’t work quite the same for me include the Shu Uemura Essence Absolue and the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil. They still add softness but now my hair just soaks it up and no shine is added. Brush I currently use is the T3 Dry Vent Brush. I like it enough to keep using it, but I’m still in search for my holy grail.

The Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Oil is one of the best smelling oils I’ve tried. It smells of honey, almond and a hint of coconut. It’s infused with honey from Negin Mirsalehi’s family bee garden. I was sent the Travel Size Oil (50 ml, exclusive to her website) and love it for it’s lightweight finish and soft shine. No greasy look or residue and it makes hair very soft. She just launched the Hair Perfume (100 ml) which has a more floral perfume like scent to it. It has a more powdery scent compared to the oil, I think it’s beautiful but prefer the oil if I had to pick one. I have ordered from her website before (they ship to the US), but you can also find her products at Urban Outfitters and Revolve.

The Rahua Legendary Amazon Oil is something I was really interested in trying out. It’s a plant-based silicone-free hair oil. It’s described as lightweight but I found it to be on the rich side and would recommend it for dry or damaged hair, and particularly if you have thicker strands. A little goes a very long way to coat the hair, I prefer using it on damp hair with just one pump. On my virgin hair pre-coloring it added incredible softness with a soft sheen. On my color-treated hair it adds softness but I find it challenging to find the right amount to use. Too little doesn’t add enough shine and one coat too much results in something that looks too heavy for my hair type. The oil has a very natural smell to it which fades after a few minutes. Based on the texture I tried I do think it would be too thick and heavy for fine hair, but if you’re looking for a silicone-free option this is a nice one to consider for very dry or coarse hair.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Satin Design is something I discovered and reviewed years ago. It’s a blow dry lotion used to heat protect hair, remove frizz and add softness. I used up a bottle and repurchased but it sat in storage most of last year when we moved around a lot. I rediscovered it recently and my color treated hair LOVES this. It has the right texture, emollient and finish to make my hair soft and remove any signs of dryness. After using and blow drying my hair it is incredibly soft, tangle-free and without any greasy residue. Ends still need a little bit of finishing with a shine product or oil, but overall this is a solid win. It gives hair a soft satiny glow.

I love IGK for the packaging. Their products are also great too. I hauled two products from Sephora earlier this year. The Thirsty Girl Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner got me because of the name coconut. It’s a milk-infused leave-in conditioner that has a spray. The packaging and spray dispenser are excellent – these days I am always amazed when brands don’t package their products with well designed spritzers. I really appreciate that IGK packaging is all on point, not just in the fun design but function as well. As the product name implies it’s a leave-in conditioner. I found that it was very easy to overdo the first few uses. The spritzer is so even and dispenses a fine mist I wasn’t sure I applied enough. It does work like a traditional leave-in conditioner, I think I like it mainly for the scent and novelty of packaging. Performance is good and I have no regrets buying. I’m not sure I would repurchase. If you found it too rich or oily, I think simply sprayed too much on, although I can see how it could be too rich for fine hair.

The IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray also suckered me in with the name “smoothing.” I think their packaging and naming is genius. It gets me every time! This is a heat-protective blow out spray that is supposed to have similar effects of keratin treatments. I have not tried one so I cannot compare, but based on photos I’ve seen after the treatments I do think the IGK Good Behavior spray gives very similar looking results but in the shorter-term (as in it will last a day until you re-wash your hair). As a pre-heat treatment I see similar results with other types of products. I do like that the Good Behavior spray smooths hair, reduces frizz and does make my hair look smooth and fresh all day. As with the Thirsty Girl, I do think Good Behavior is easy to over apply. The IGK applicator spritzers are so good compared to other brands. They spray product very efficiently so you might be used to spraying more product. I’d recommend coating hair lightly and add one spritz at a time as you blow dry in sections if you feel you need more. It gets a thumbs up for me but I do think you can get similar frizz-free soft shine results with other products.

This Briogeo Hair-O-Scopes Brightest Stars Bestsellers Kit came at the perfect time for me. It has a full-size Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask which is now my holy grail hair mask. I had to wait 72 hours to wash my hair after color treatment. The first two days I found my hair just wasn’t the same, it needed a lot more moisture. This mask rescued it and I never want to be without it now. Prior to my highlights I had been experiencing a lot of breakage in the hair. I do think using this mask (along with the Aquis hair towels) has reduced breakage drastically. I’m still sampling the other items in the kit but the hair mask makes it 100% worth trying. I’ve already ordered another mask.

Last but not least are the Aquis Hair Towels. I’ve now tried multiple sizes and products in the line. I really liked the Prime Starter Kit before I had my hair colored to strengthen and reduce breakage. Post hair highlights, the leave-in conditioner just doesn’t really perform the same. It works to smooth and detangle, but I’m not seeing a lot of added moisture or shine. I’m going to put the entire kit to more testing before I give a comprehensive review.

For the hair towels I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. With new hair coloring towels are prone to staining, but the dye washed out and didn’t leave any marks on the white ones. I just made sure I threw them in the washer right away.

I thought I’d always be a towel kind of person but their Rapid Dry Turban has a really clever design with a loop on one end and closure on the other. It’s super easy to use and holds hair in place better than wrapping a towel.

For the towels, I prefer the longer lengths for my hair. The first one I tried was the Lisse Luxe Long Hair Towel. I then ordered the regular sizes to try and found the longer ones easier to wrap around the head. Andrew has liked and borrowed all of mine and prefers the Waffle Luxe version. I think both textures work the same for me.

I’ve bought mine from Sephora, but I just noticed this Ouai Ouai x Aquis Set available at Bloomingdale’s at a really good price. With the holiday sets out definitely look around online for different options.

For those who didn’t see on Instagram stories, my before and after hair color:

After using the same stylist for nearly 10 years in San Diego, making a change was scary when I moved, but one of the best things about South Florida is that the people here are so nice. I found a salon on Yelp and decided to try based on the reviews. They made me feel completely at ease as a new client, I loved them and went back. I decided to have my hair colored for the first time there and loved the results. I was so nervous that I nearly cancelled but my husband and mother in-law came with me and assured me it would all be ok. The day of appointment the salon asked if they could film the process for their social media feed and I said sure. They put together a fun clip if you want to check them out I linked it below. Quick FYI this is all still my natural hair except for the coloring, no extensions. Just highlights – they also curled my hair for fun afterwards.

View this post on Instagram

@dillonkstylist Color Transformation!!! #HairExtensions #HairExtension #HumanHair #GreatLengths #VirginHairExtensions #BellamiHair #HairStyling #HairDressin #HairEnvy #TampaHair #GorgeousHair #BeautySalon #SouthTampa #sewins #loveyourhair #BeautyLaunchPad #hairweave #celebritystylist #paulmitchell #hairtrend #allaboutdahair #pmts #hairdressing #hairdesign #hairvideo #bighairdontcare #hairinspiration #hairpost

A post shared by Monaco Salon (@monacosalontampa) on Nov 5, 2018 at 3:42am PST

I was truly blown away by everyone’s kind words about the new hair. You made me feel so loved with the sweet comments and suggestions about hair care, shampoos and everything else in between. I’ve been testing different shampoos and conditioners which I’ll be reviewing soon, for now I wanted round up the oils and other products I have been testing for hydration and smoothness.

Overall, my favorites are still my favorites. I do love the Gisou Hair Oil for the soft finish, shine and scent. The Aquis Hair towels and Briogeo hair mask are life savers for me. I’m thrilled that I rediscovered the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Satin Design and am amazed it didn’t go bad (it was in storage for months, granted it was an climate controlled one).

What are your favorite hair products for hydration, added shine and smoothing? Let me know what hair type you have in the comments too!

Press samples featured include the Sisley Hair Oil, Aquis Hair Turban, Moroccanoil Hair Treatment, Briogeo Hair-O-Scopes Set, Rahua Oil.

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Eye Makeup Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs Opulence Collection Holiday 2018

November 3, 2018

The Pat McGrath Labs Opulence Collection Holiday 2018 is the most glamorous beauty launch I’ve seen all season. Nobody does it quite like Pat McGrath! There are three new limited-edition MTHRSHP Palettes ($55 each for 6 shades for 12 g/0.42 oz, made in USA) along with repromoted MatteTrance Lipsticks ($38 each for 4 g/0.14 oz) in corresponding colored packaging pink sapphire, aquamarine and ruby. I’ve put everything to the test for the past week and the entire collection is solid. As usual she has a number of different sets and bundles available on her website, usually at a price break rather than ordering items individually.

With the lipsticks she has Flesh 3 in each of the packaging colors and then two other repromotes with each corresponding packaging. Colors in the launch include:

Aquamarine packaging:
- MTHRSHP Subliminal Eyeshadow Palette in Dark Star
- MatteTrance Lipsticks in 1995, Flesh 3 and Guinevere
Ruby packaging:
- MTHRSHP Sublime Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Temptation
- MatteTrance Lipsticks in Omi, Flesh 3 and Elson
Pink Sapphire packaging:
- MTHRSHP Subversive Eyeshadow Palette in Metalmorphosis
- MatteTrance Lipsticks in Christy, Flesh 3 and Forbidden Love

The Pat McGrath Opulence MTHRSHP Palettes are on the bolder side but still very wearable, even for my neutral-loving self. I put each one to the test for separate full days and found they all performed well. Colors have a variety of finishes and textures. Pigment is intense and application is smooth! The shades layer beautifully together. In general I find her 6-pan MTHRSHP Palettes better than her 8-pan palettes for me because they’re easier to use and don’t have the super glitzy glitters that are so popular but challenging for me to wear. Some of you e-mailed me that you were disappointed in her latest Mothership V Bronze Seduction because of the glitter. The sparkle is indeed very intense there. With the MTHRSHP Palettes there aren’t any strong chunky glitter shades, although there are sparkles. The sparkles are more refined.

The MatteTrance Lipsticks are among my favorite lipstick formula, especially for mattes. I’ve had numerous chats with friends about these and they all agree that these lipsticks are THE best for mattes because they’re so opaque, feel light and whipped on the lips, but give full smooth coverage without drying or making your lips look shriveled. I think they’re 100% worth the price – I’ve bought many on my own. No regrets with any of them.

Opulence: The Collection in Aquamarine

I’m splitting the photos and swatches by color grouping. Up first are the items in the turquoise packaging including the MTHRSHP Subliminal Eyeshadow Palette in Dark Star and MatteTrance Lipsticks in 1995, Flesh 3 and Guinevere.

The first palette I tested was the MTHRSHP Subliminal Eyeshadow Palette in Dark Star – I thought this was the most interesting combination for a cool and warm smokey eye. I tend to avoid cooler tones as they often clash with my olive skin but this one was my favorite in the bunch. The mix of gold, grey, plum and violet blue make for such a pretty eye look.

Colors include:

Entice is a sparkling champagne with flashes of pink and opal
Deep Space is a soft matte dove blue grey, it’s matte but the flash added a subtle sheen to the swatch photo
Enraptured is an antique sparkling gold metallic
Dark Matter is a deep satiny black
Metroplis is a shimmering plum
Interstellar is a glistening violet blue iridescent sparkle with tiny flecks of micro glitter

The Opulence Aquamarine Packaging MatteTrance Lipsticks in 1995, Flesh 3 and Guinevere are all repromotes. 1995 is a neutral-cool nude pink with hint of mauve, Flesh 3 is a deep rose brick (on me it pulls reddish) and Guinevere is a matte crimson red. They’re matte but not flat. As usual I take all my photos with a flash because the colors pull better when I use the flash, but it adds a bit of sheen/shine to the finish.

Opulence: The Collection in Ruby

Next are the ruby packaging items MTHRSHP Sublime Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Temptation and the MatteTrance Lipsticks in Omi, Flesh 3 and Elson.

I would say there’s a two-way tie between the blue and ruby palettes. The MTHRSHP Sublime Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Temptation is one I did not expect to love because of the red and green shimmers, but this one is simply beautiful! Photos do not do it justice. The colors swatch more complex than what you see in the pan – if you try this one move it around in the light at different angles and you’ll see the red and green shift.

Colors include:

Celestial is a pale cool shimmering beige sparkle (this one is a bit sheer, I had to apply with a very heavy hand)
Burning Desire is a soft matte tan
Supernova is a deep forest green, appears to have micro glitters, but they’re super fine and apply without too much glitz (it’s not chunky)
Dark Paradise is a perfect warm matte brown
Corruption is the perfect duo chrome red and copper shimmer
Provocatrix is a shimmering golden tan that shifts into silver and copper depending on the light

MatteTrance Lipsticks in Omi, Flesh 3 and Elson are also repromotes. Omi is a classic medium rose, Flesh 3 is launched in all three colors of packaging, Elson is a vibrant blue based red matte.

Opulence: The Collection in Pink Sapphire

Last but not least are the pink sapphire packaging products with MTHRSHP Subversive Eyeshadow Palette in Metalmorphosis and MatteTrance Lipsticks in in Christy, Flesh 3 and Forbidden Love.

The MTHRSHP Subversive Eyeshadow Palette in Metalmorphosis is very pigmented. The overall mix of warm and cool balance each other out for a beautiful complex eye. I did not expect to love this because of the sharp sterling and gold shades, but when you mix them with the coppery ones they make for a unique mix. If you feel like you’re more of the creative type this is the palette for you.

Colors in this one overall are the most metallic and include:

Metalurgy is a shimmering light taupe gold
Copper is a reddish shimmer with an intense metallic sheen
Sterling is a metallic pale silver
Smoked Amethyst is a matte deep purple base loaded with flecks of red and plum sparkle
Bronze is a orange metallic shimmer
Gold Standard is an intense 24K gold shimmer

MatteTrance Lipsticks in Christy, Flesh 3 and Forbidden Love are the shades for the pink sapphire packaging. I think the pink is such a princess-like pink. Christy is a pink beige, Forbidden Love is a vibrant red.

In the holiday set I’ve already reviewed all except 2 of the colors but thought it would be helpful for another swatch post. For quick reference, I reswatched all the lipsticks swatched side by side with Flesh 5 and Elson 2 for added comparison.

To me Flesh 5 is less intense than Flesh 3 – I prefer 5. Elson 2 is brighter and more orange than Elson. Based on the swatches below and in real life to me Elson and Forbidden Love both look identical on the hand, arm and lips. Maybe if you have lighter or deeper skin you’ll be able to see more of a difference in undertone – I triple checked to make sure and walked my arm around with both tubes to swatch and re-swatch. If you’ve tried both shades let me know if you see the same thing.

Overall the collection is just knock out gorgeous. To me the Pat McGrath Labs Opulence collection has the biggest wow factor out of all the holiday makeup launches that I’ve seen. Everything from the packaging, presentation and colors are so beautiful. I think the palettes are really unique and different. I think Dark Star and Bronze Temptation are the best ones, but my recommendations would primarily be to pick based on your color preferences. I’ve mentioned numerous times that palettes are tricky if you don’t love all of the shades. Quality-wise everything performs to excellent standards in terms of application, pigment, lasting power, minimal fall out. If you don’t like glitter I’d say that the 6-pan palettes are definitely a lot more wearable than her 8-pans. The colors in The Opulence Holiday collection have some intense sparkle and metallic sheens, but no chunky glitter.

All the MatteTrance lipsticks shades are repromotes. You can shop your stash if you already own a lot of colors although the limited-edition packaging colors are super fun and if you haven’t tried any yet but had some on your wishlist she has amazing bundles on her website. You get a nice price break with her sets! I already owned all except 2 of the holiday shades. I’ve already made a serious dent in 1995 and OMI so I’m really happy to have backups now.

The entire Opulence Collection is available now online at Pat McGrath. MTHRSHP Palettes retail for $55 each and the MatteTrance Lipsticks are priced at $38 each. The MTHRSHP Palettes are also available at Sephora. Everything is limited-edition.

Pat McGrath Opulence Collection provided for review.

7 Comments

Sephora

Top Makeup Favorites You Can Find At Sephora

November 2, 2018

I’m have Part 2 of my beauty recommendations for the second weekend of the Sephora Holiday Bonus Beauty Insider Event! This weekend continues with savings for Rouge Tier Members. This roundup focuses on my top makeup favorites for bases, cheeks, eyes and lips. You can find Part 1 Skin, Body and Hair recommendations here. Dates, codes and details:

Rouge get 20% Off 11/2-11/5 with code: ROUGEBONUS
VIB get 20% off 11/9-11/12 with code: VIBBONUS
Insiders/ Non-BI members get 15% off 11/16-11/19 with code: BIBONUS

Terms, conditions and exclusions listed here. I tried to narrow my absolute top picks and favorites limiting myself to under 10 per category. There are so many good products available right now, especially with holiday beauty launches. Most of these are products I consider tried and true staples but there are a few newer items I’ve tried recently I think are really worth the splurge. Products that are press samples have a * next to them.

Foundations + Base:

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Long-Wear Foundation in Buff * is my favorite full coverage foundation, I think I’m on my third bottle already.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 and 7 are my matches for a natural medium coverage finish.
La Mer Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation is new, I was thrilled to find a match in Warm Bisque, review coming soon but it is amazing and it comes with a refill. I will say I do think there are color gaps, definitely try before you buy. I suspect when I lose my summer tan this color I’ve bought will definitely be too dark. It’s also very dewy in finish but will set well if you finish with a powder. I’ve since re-sampled the Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation at the counter and really want to buy it, I’m in between Beige and Suede though.
Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer was my previous favorite full coverage foundation, it’s still very natural looking and lasts all day, I still love this one but the LM wins for now.
Erborian BB Creme or CC Creme are my favorites for natural finish, although I feel they are better suited for normal to dry skin or normal, if you’re oily these might be too rich for you.
If you want a glowy finish or tinted moisturizer I think the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is still the best, followed by the YSL Touche Eclat All In One Glow.

Concealer:

Tom Ford Foundation Stick or the Make Up For Ever Foundation Stick are products I layer for extra coverage, kinda like a concealer, to wear them all over the face is a bit heavy for me, but I think they’re both great.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger is probably holy grail material for me.
Cover FX Power Play Concealer * is new, full review soon, this really impressed me for a full coverage concealer, it glides onto the skin without caking – if you found the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away too thick but still wanted something full coverage, I’d recommend you check out the Cover FX option.
First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer * is also a great natural looking radiant option, it blends easily and does not look cakey or dry.
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer * is another favorite for a more natural finish product, it is similar to the formula of the NARS but not as radiant in finish, swatches of all shades here.

Powders + Setting:

Hourglass Veil Translucent Loose Powder * is one of the new launches this year, I love this for it’s truly translucent finish (no white cast) and sheer natural matte finish.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose * is my most-worn loose powder, I like it with either the puff or a regular powder brush.
Armani Neo-Nude Fusion Powder is the best all over setting pressed glow powder, doesn’t make me too shiny, just adds the perfect amount of even coverage and glow, if you’re oily you should probably opt for an all matte option though. Review here.
La Mer Sheer Pressed Powder is one I have gone through several of Light and Medium, it’s the best sheer natural pressed matte powder I’ve tried, although I will say I think MAC Next to Nothing Pressed is a very close dupe that’s cheaper (but they don’t carry MAC at Sephora).
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Pressed Powder in Medium is my holy grail blurring powder, it covers and smooths imperfections, I wish it came in more shades but am happy Medium has worked for me.
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray is my go-to setting spray to set makeup and help make it last longer. It’s available in a number of size options including a mini if you want to try one before splurging on the full size.

Eye Makeup:

Charlotte Tilbury Stars in Your Eyes Eyeshadow Palette is the prettiest large eyeshadow palette I think I’ve tried of the season, it rivals NARS Singapore (which is sold out everywhere as it was limited-edition), versatile for a wide range of looks – reviewed here. Swatches of the palette in this post here.
Urban Decay Naked2, Naked3 or Naked Cherry are great options if you’re new to shadow and don’t know where to start. Naked2 has the neutral taupes and browns, Naked3 runs more pink but still neutral, Naked Cherry * is trendy but still wearable. I reviewed Naked Cherry in this post here. There is also this pretty awesome Naked Cherry Vault in a limited-edition set available now too.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Honeymoon is probably my favorite warm neutral, it goes with anything and everything and brightens the face with any cheek color. Nude Dip comes in close second for neutrals.
Pat McGrath anything wins unless you’re not a glitter fan in which case I still think her MTHRSHP Subliminal Platinum Bronze Palette is amazing (review here). I’ll have a review of her Opulence collection posted tomorrow so stay tuned!
Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks are my most worn shadow sticks, I don’t have oily lids so they last all day for me and don’t crease. Rosegold is my holy grail go-to shade I wear the most, followed by Copper.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows are also ones I like to wear a lot, I use them alone on lazy makeup days or layered with powder on top to make them last longer.
Natasha Denona makes amazing eyeshadows, the pigment, intensity and complexity of her palettes are really truly beautiful. It’s hard for me to pick one but I think her Camel or 5-Pan in Color Option #2 are great ones.

Brows and Lashes:

Anastasia Brow Wiz * in Medium Brown has been a go-to until I discovered Dior and Hourglass, since getting highlights I’ve felt the need to change my brow color to match a bit more, Taupe and Caramel have been working great for me.
Diorshow Brow Styler in Univeral Brown is still my holy grail, it still works even with highlights!
Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel * is among my favorite tinted brow gels (in either Soft Brunette or Warm Brunette), although the Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel is also very good.
Surratt Lash Curler is spendy and you can find good alternatives for less, but I think it’s worth the splurge.
Mascara – my current favorites aren’t carried at Sephora but I’ve linked a few I’ve enjoyed in the shop the post carousel below.

Cheeks:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Unlocked (reviewed here) or Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume 4 (swatches here) – either of these are really pretty for a soft glow and since they’re super expensive, the sale is the best time to buy them to save a little!
Becca Sunlit Bronzers * are among of the most natural bronzers I’ve tried. Review + swatches here.
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powders * are also very natural looking and come in several shades. Review and swatches in this post here.
NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm * is probably one of the best liquid blushes I’ve tried, swatched here.

Lips:

Pat McGrath Matte Trance lipsticks are LIFE to me. I think any of the shades are a win, her newer fall shades * swatched here.
NARS Velvet Lip Glides in Roseland and Swing are usually in rotation at least once a week, swatched on lips here.
Dior Addict Lip Glow is a cult classic with good reason, swatches of most shades here. (I just bought the new one.)
Tom Ford Lip Colors are amazing in coverage and color selection. I love shades like Sugar Glider, Bad Lieutenant, Indian Rose, Pink Dusk (swatched here) or any of the Boys and Girls for minis (current year’s swatched here).
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk is my universal lipliner for days I feel like adding it. Most of the time I skip it, but this color seems to go with all the neutrals I own.

That wraps up my top makeup picks and recommendations for things you can find during the Sephora Beauty Insider Event! Hope this helps if you’re looking for ideas. It’s always nice to have these events each year to help save on new things or to stock up on favorites. I’ll have a haul post soon and will also have another giveaway when I post the haul.

Dates, codes and details, online and in store at Sephora:

Rouge get 20% Off 11/2-11/5 with code: ROUGEBONUS
VIB get 20% off 11/9-11/12 with code: VIBBONUS
Insiders/ Non-BI members get 15% off 11/16-11/19 with code: BIBONUS

Let me know if you hauled anything yet! Or any fun beauty items recently if you’re not shopping the Sephora Beauty Insider Event. Always love hearing about what you end up buying!

Press samples indicated with a * next to the product listings.

9 Comments

Fitness Lifestyle

Gym Bag Beauty Essentials

October 31, 2018

This year is the year that I’ve finally been able to commit to a regular fitness routine. Both Andrew and I have been trying to be more active and build our strength to live a healthier life. I’ve wanted to write about fitness and beauty from within for some time but I’ve never been able to follow through with any kind of exercise consistently until this year. We’ve mixed things up from running and started weight training and I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made! We still have a long way to go but for me the key is consistency and sticking with it. I’ll be writing more about my fitness routine and progress later, but for now I wanted to share my gym bag essentials. I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with the amount of feedback so many of you gave me on fitness on my Instagram stories over the past few months. Anything and everything from apparel, shoes and water bottles! I think having a good gym bag whether its for the actual gym or for outdoor activities can make a huge difference. It makes the whole workout process (pre and post-workout) a lot better and enjoyable. Here are a few things I’ve enjoyed using and found helpful especially in the intense Florida heat.

First I don’t have a proper gym bag but really any tote can work. I like open roomy totes to hold everything from water bottles, extra set of clean clothes, beauty bag, etc. For the most part I use my Goyard St. Louis PM – it’s lightweight and just the right size to hold everything. When I first moved to Florida a number of you gave me recommendations and tips on dealing with the heat and said to get a S’well Bottle ASAP. These are indeed as amazing as everyone says because they are insulated, keep your drinks cold and they are condensation-free. Bkr makes really fun ones too. They’re glass with a silicone exterior. The only issue for me is they’re a bit difficult to clean and they don’t keep water cold as long as the S’well but I really like that it is glass and not plastic. Shown below is a Bkr 500 ml Bottle, S’well Traveler Bottle 16 oz (like this for the wider lid, exterior is also slightly textured), S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle 17 oz (this is nice because it fits in standard car cup holders).

For my beauty essentials I keep makeup to a minimum as I’m an afternoon kind of person for workouts. If you’re one who works out in the morning or mid-day you might need your full makeup kit if you’re going straight from the gym to work. The Daily Edited Transparent Cosmetic Case I reviewed a few months ago here is perfect for holding my fitness beauty essentials. I can fit a pack of face wipes and a tinted moisturizer in the bottom section. In the upper compartment I can fit my face mist, sunscreen bottles, mini brush, hair ties, deodorant and more. It’s perfect for travel but I love it for so many other things. Quick FYI, they’ve since changed the design a little bit but the dimensions and overall look is the same.

In general I don’t wear makeup when I’m working out. The heat in Florida makes any hope of having makeup last through even a light workout non-existent. I do love a good tinted balm, deodorant for reapplication and sunscreen is always a must. Wipes are also nice to have for convenience although if possible I’d recommend washing your face first. Things I’ve found useful for fitness beauty pre and post-workouts listed below.

My favorites:

Sunscreen is a must if I’m outdoors. I’ve tried a number and with heat + humidity + sweat it’s hard to find one that doesn’t sting the eyes. On days that are extra hot I skip application on the forehead above the eyes and wear a hat. Ones I like include the Supergoop! Unseen Suncreen for the clear matte finish, Supergoop! Glow Stick for easy application and hydration, Fresh Sugar Sport Stick to apply on cheek bones and nose. For a quick reapplication the Supergoop! Refresh Defense Mist is probably the easiest way to touch up sunscreen throughout the day.
Hair musts include a good set of hair ties, brush and dry shampoo. I really like the Invisibobble Spiral Hair Ties because there’s no snagging the hair and I’ve never had one break on me. They come in a lot of fun colors aside from the basic black or white. I’ve carried the Drybar mini brush with me for years now but lately I’ve been more into combs for quick and easy detangling. I ordered one from Gisou and love it! Dry shampoo for a quick post-workout fix is a must. My go to these days is the IGK Jet Lag.
Some days a good face mist pre-workout helps calm and refresh the skin. The L’Occitane Aqua Reotier has been a nice affordable option I’ve loved for months now. They have a few other formulas I think are really good for the price.
With the humidity and heat here, having an extra deodorant on hand for on-the-go is a must! I always reapply after a workout and my favorite is the Kopari Coconut Deodorant. It’s natural and keeps odor away, I love that it smells like sweet coconuts too. Also available in mini size in the Kopari Beauty Besties set, great for small bags or a makeup bag!
I always have at least one Lip Balm on hand. We’re going into the dry season and there’s nothing worse than having dry or cracked lips. The Bite Agave Lip Mask has enough thickness that it sticks to your lips without sliding around even if you sweat. For a bit of color you can’t go wrong with the Dior Addict Lip Glows (I just bought the new Rose Gold color and am so excited to try it!).
A few post workout favorites I have are from the CliniqueFIT line. There’s actually a lot more in the collection I haven’t tried but I really like the Post-Workout Mattifying Moisturizer because it really does give the skin a soft matte finish and oil-free. The Post-Workout Face and Body Wipes are super convenient for times you can’t get to a shower right away but need to wipe down. I think body wipes in general have a long way to go, but we’ve tried a number of wipes and these are the best ones I’ve found (although very spendy for how many are in a pack).

Our favorite place to run is along Bayshore Boulevard. We’ve also tried a few runs on some of the long bridges too. We love how much wildlife is here in Tampa – the view of the water is always so nice to look at.

A few extras I like to keep with me (and yes all this fits in one tote!). An extra change of clothes is always a must. Hair perfume is something I discovered last year and absolutely love the ones from Byredo. This season he has two miniature trios, one is Triple Gagnant Fleurs and the other (the one I bought) is Triple Gagnat Bois with Gypsy Water, Bal D’Afrique and Mojave Ghost. They make for nice refreshers. Having a good microfiber towel on hand is essential for me. Andrew and I have been using our Aquis Hair Towels to wipe down and dry off after runs. They’re super absorbent!

Fitness apparel favorites are from Lululemon including the Align Shorts, Align Crop Pants (my favorite workout pants for any kind of activity), Hotty Hot Shorts (2.5 inch) and Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank.

I’ve always been a Nike fan, but earlier this year I asked readers for recommendations on Instagram for favorite running and workout shoes. The top two picks were Saucony and APLs – so I tried both! I’ve really loved running in the Saucony Freedom ISO for the cushion and stability. I just ordered my first pairs of APL Techloom Pro sneakers recently and haven’t run in them yet but think they are great for weight training. The APL Instagram feed is so beautiful to look at, their photography is so crisp and simple. It made me order their new Techloom Slides in Parchment and Black. I never thought about wearing slides after workouts, but they’re really nice to change into post-run. Makes it so your feet don’t stay sweaty in your sneakers! They are also nice to wear around the house. The only downside is they come in whole sizes. I found a perfect fit with the Size 6. For reference I wear a size 7 in Nike and Saucony sneakers. In the APL sneakers I opted for 6 1/2 but could have gone with the 7. In general I’m more of a true 6 1/2 for most shoes.

That wraps up my gym bag fitness essentials for beauty and more! I hope you enjoyed this roundup. I’ve received so many recommendations from you about what you feel is the best, I’ve taken your advice and found some favorites. If you’re looking for gifts for fitness fans I hope this gives you some good ideas! I think anyone would love a new pair of APL slides, or a S’well water bottle paired with some other fitness beauty accessories. Now that I have color-treated hair some of you have suggested I add sunscreen to my hair and I have no idea where to start. Any recommendations would be amazing!

What do you have in your fitness or gym bag? Would love to hear what kinds of exercise or workouts you do. I need all the extra inspiration and motivation I can get! More on our fitness journey soon.

Press samples featured include Supergoop! Unseen, Kopari Deodorant, L’Occitane Face Mist. All other items purchased by me.

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