Away Travel Minis are back again! The minis are usually available during the holidays but they’ve brought them back. For those who missed out on previous launches you’ve asked me to alert you if they are back and they are now! These are my favorite miniature travel-sized cases perfect for quick trips, long vacations, inflight essentials, for the beach, for my gym bag etc. Basically great to carry anything you want protected from the hard shell exterior.
They currently retail for $45 each and are available in the individual empty cases. I’ve done quite a few reviews in the past. If you want to see what I can fit inside you can find previous posts by clicking on my Packing Tag.
Dimensions are 7″ x 5″ x 3″+ latest version reviewed here.
Also thought it was fun to share that Away featured me on their website! Andrew took this during one of our Miami trips you can read about here. Outfit details: Tank – Jcrew / Hat – Eric Javits / Shorts – 7 For All Mankind / Sunglasses – Rayban / Sandals – UGG Kari Sandal (runs true to size).
I have an updated hair care post today! I’m sharing my current haircare routine and loves. I’m in the process of growing out my color treated hair and have been getting occasional toner + glaze treatments. As much as I loved having highlights – the processing was too much for my hair to handle and I started experiencing so much breakage! If you’re curious to see what I’ve tried, loved and used in the past you can always click on the posts by category. The Haircare Category Tag will bring up previous hair posts.
I rotate products frequently as I wash my hair every day. Some days are very minimal with styling but I use product in it, even when I air dry. I go through hair products really fast – they get used up easily which makes it easy for me to try new things. Here’s what I use on my hair for shampoo, conditioner and styling treatments.
I’ve split my favorites by category. I don’t use all the products at one time, but rotate depending on what I want to do with my hair or what the weather is like. Some days are humid and require extra work to keep the frizz to a minimum. Contrary to popular beliefs, Florida weather fluctuates a lot. It’s not always super hot or humid. It also really depends how far south you are. We’ve had a colder winter for Florida with temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s some days and then it will bounce back up to 80 and then back down. Right now it’s starting to warm back up to mid-70’s. I know it’s only a matter of weeks before we’re back up to the 80’s and 90’s!
Shampoo, Conditioners + Masks
My two go-to combos right now are the Oribe and Olaplex. I also really love Hair Rituel by Sisley but I go through them so quickly I can’t seem to keep them in stock in my home.
Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner are my favorites out of all the formulas I’ve tried from the brand. After going through three bottles of the shampoo in a very short period of time I invested in the larger pump size and love it. It’s a better value and while still quite the splurge 100% worth it!
Hair Rituel by Sisley Smoothing Shampoo and Restructuring Conditioner if price is no object then these two are the best money can buy. I’ve repurchased many times and find them perfect for my hair type. I’ve tried every shampoo formula they have and the smoothing is my favorite.
Hair Rituel by Sisley Regenerating Hair Mask is what I have in my shower/bath right now. I’ve loved Briogeo, Christophe Robin and Moroccanoil – I go through these so fast as well, I haven’t had a chance to look through all the new launches to see if there is anything else new I should try.
Dae Hair was founded by Amber Fillerup Clark who I think has the some of the prettiest hair styling out there! I was so excited to try her line. The Dae Shampoo and Conditioner are great everyday kinds of products. They smell like floral bubblegum to me and love that they wash and rinse without any buildup.
dp HUE Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse is something I’ve been trying out as a shampoo alternative since I wash my hair daily. I really like it although it smells pretty terrible to me. The good thing is once it’s rinsed out there’s no residual smell. Makes the hair feel clean and healthy!
Hair Tools
I blow dry my hair almost daily but try to minimize any heat exposure as I’ve been experiencing breakage. I did start working with a new stylist at my local salon and she’s been using a different combination of toner + glaze on my hair which seems to have helped the breakage tremendously!
Wetbrush Detangler has been recommended by so many of you, since I experienced so much breakage I ordered one from Target and it truly does work better than anything else I’ve tried on wet hair!
HAI Ceramic Iron is the only flat iron I’ve used for years. It’s still a favorite and leaves hair smooth and shiny after use!
Curler – I stopped curling my hair with the T3 Whirl Trio because it fried my hair as in literally burnt off strands. I don’t know if it went bad or if my hair was just significantly damaged from the highlight processing.
Pre-Blowout, Detangler + Heat Protectants
This is the category where I try new things the most frequently. Some of these are multi-taskers and can be used as finishing products as well. You don’t have to use all of these or more than one. I’ve included different options I’ve tried as sometimes I want a spray, other times a cream is better for me.
Moroccanoil Perfect Defense is what I use when I flat iron my hair. It works really well to protect hair from heat and I highly recommend it!
Olaplex No 6. Bond Smoother is a great smoothing cream to use on the hair, especially if it’s weak or prone to breakage.
Bumble and Bumble Bb. Glow Blow Dry Accelerator is a lightweight mist that helps speed up the blow dry process. I rough dry with a blow dryer first for a minute or two though before spritzing into the hair.
Moroccanoil Original Treatment is a classic that cannot be beat. It’s the best multi-tasker to prime and smooth hair for blow drying and can also be used as a finishing shine product. I love how it smells and feels, it adds shine without being heavy!
Finishers for Shine, Hold and Frizz-Issues
Some days there’s literally nothing I can do to combat frizz. I know so many of you feel the same if you live in humid weather! Also with extreme heat + sweat some times hair will go flat within minutes of being outside. Here’s what I have found works, but I’m always looking for something better!
Oribe Gold Lust Oil is a great hair oil to add shine to ends, it’s lightweight and smells amazing! It’s actually not my absolute favorite, but I’ve purchased several times and like it a lot.
Drybar The Chaser Shine Cream is something I’ve used for many years, it adds shine and smooths the hair beautifully. It is rich so I usually apply on the ends or in very small amounts. Quick note that it looks like they’ve changed the packaging to a pump style!
Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer is the best anti-frizz spray I’ve used. I can spray it in a light layer all over the hair and brush it out, or sometimes I will spray directly onto a small comb/brush and brush it through my hair.
Living Proof Flex Hairspray is my favorite hair spray because it doesn’t leave the hair super crunchy feeling. There are other stronger hold sprays I’ve been wanting to try but haven’t had a chance yet. This one works for me and I love it.
Volumizers, Texture + Dry Shampoo
I don’t typically use thickening sprays. Sometimes I feel like I don’t need a texturizer because the salty air here already gives me enough natural texture. Here is what I love when I need texture or volume:
IGK 30,000 Feet Volume Powder is my favorite volumizing powder, it comes in a tiny bottle where you pump spray powder into the roots where you want more volume. It’s very similar to the Oribe Swept Up, but I like the IGK one better.
Oribe Thick Dry Finishing Spray is one of the few thickening sprays I find really works on my thicker hair. Sometimes my hair feels to thick/heavy to have thickening sprays work, but this one does!
Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist is new and has a bi-phase formula with powder inside to absorb oil after a workout. We’ve started going to the gym since last fall and although we typically go home right after to shower, sometimes we run a few errands on the way home. This has been really nice to use on the hair post-workout!
Miscellaneous
I still really love the Aquis Hair Towels to dry my hair and the Slip Silk Scrunchies. I’m looking for some good hair clips to hold up my hair as I always lose mine. I’ve used the ones from Drybar and T3 before and loved them. Currently looking for something new to try!
For those who wanted to know what I’ve been loving for the hair I hope you found this post helpful! Also hoping the split by category helps you sort through the products to help you find what you’re looking for.
What is your hair type and what are some of your favorites? Any new recent discoveries or finds you want to share?
Shampoo + Conditioners
Styling Favs
Dae Hair products, Bumble Pret-A-Powder Spray, Moroccanoil Perfect Defense and Original Treatment provided for review.
I’m excited to share another makeup haul with you today! I picked up some new beauty launches recently and discovered quite a few hits. I’ve found the perfect spring cheek palette and my new holy grail nude lip gloss. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share my favorite beauty finds.
The Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation has SPF 50 and offers medium to full coverage with a dewy finish. It is light reflecting and suitable for my normal skin type. I tested with both a brush and sponge, both work great! It evens out the skin with impressive coverage while still looking natural. I set with a powder to counter the dewy finish and it leaves the skin looking plump and evened out. My match is Natural 06 but I can also wear Dune 5.7 (more neutral in tone). It stays put all day, doesn’t separate, looks great and feels really nice! To me it’s like a more opaque and richer feeling Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
Below with bare skin and applying Natural 06:
The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer is a super opaque concealer. My shade is Beech for under the eye or spot concealing. A little goes a VERY long way so I recommend applying sparingly. Three small dots under each eye is more than enough to conceal dark circles and brighten. I also set with a powder (any of my powders work, I love the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural or Laura Mercier Translucent Loose) and it stays put all day. If you’re dry you may need to add some eye cream underneath.
Below Beech applied under the eyes on just one side so you can see with vs without:
Dior Rosewood
From Dior I repurchased the Lip Maximizer in Rosewood. They recently added the Lip Glow Oil and Lip Glow in the same shade and I love the natural rosy flush it gives the lips. The Lip Maximizer gives the lips a super lush glossy look and hydrates all day. The Lip Glow variation will give you more color as it transforms on the lips. The Lip Oil will give you an almost clear shine.
NARS Cool Crush
Nordstrom has a NARS Exclusive Collection called Cool Crush. I hauled the Hot Fix Cheek Palette which has one champagne highlighter and three neutral pink/peach blushes. This has medium to rich pigment but is easy to blend. As a lover of neutral blushes this one is perfect for spring to summer. It’s very natural and easy to wear. There are also new Loaded Lip Lacquers which are full coverage high shine lip glosses. I bought three of the four colors available and they’re all wearable. Playin’ Around is a creamy pale nude, Young Hearts is my new holy grail nude and Foxy is a warmer brown neutral.
Charlotte Tilbury
Also new this year are more Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk extensions. I will have a separate post on everything I hauled but for now the stand outs are the Pillow Talk Medium Lipstick and Lip Cheat Lip Pencil. They’re darker than the original color for a really flattering medium brown rose. I also picked up the Pillow Talk Eyeliner which is a reddish brown and a nice alternative to black or brown when you want something different.
Bobbi Brown Makeup Remover
Last but not least as a fan of the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil I decided to try the Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover for eyes. It’s a bi-phase makeup remover to remover waterproof makeup with I really like it! It’s gentle and not greasy, doesn’t sting my eyes and is effective.
That wraps up my favorites from my recent Nordstrom Beauty haul! My favorites are the NARS palette and lip glosses which I think are great everyday kind of neutrals. I really love the new Tom Ford foundation. The formula wears really well and I like that it has SPF in it.
You can find all my picks available at Nordstrom. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase section (they update it regularly).
Have you picked up anything new recently? What did you think?
Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. All items featured purchased by me.
This year’s Chanel Le Blanc makeup collection is a stunning one! The Chanel La Fleur Et L’eau Collection is currently available at Chanel.com and today I finally have swatches of everything! The colors have a soft wash with pastels for eyes and bold colors for lips.
Le Vernis ($28 each) in Fleur de Pecher and Petale
Lip Colors
The lip colors are the stand outs for me with new Rouge Coco Flash colors in Ondee (sheer bright coral) and Eau de Rose (sheer rose). I think both are must-haves in my opinion, I especially love the glossy rose color! Both have a sheer smooth finish with high shine. There are two Rouge Allure Ink Fusions in Fleur de Lotus which is a bold coral and Pivoine which is a bold raspberry color. Both are fluid and lightweight in texture but since both are bolds they cover the entire lip and apply smoothly.
There’s a Lip Palette called Camelias D’eau which comes with four colors that are in an embossed camelia pattern. Colors are bold classics with a bold bright raspberry, bright fuchsia, soft rosewood with a slight shimmer and blue-based red cream. Colors have medium coverage but can be built for full coverage. Each color has a slightly glossy finish. The compact does come with a tiny lip brush which is super cute!
Swatches alongside some of their newer Lip Liners in coordinating colors that launched last month:
Eyeshadow Quads
There are two Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow palettes in this collection which have a soft washed pastel theme. I purchased both of these to review the complete collection even though the color scheme really isn’t something I gravitate towards. Au Fil Des Fleurs has a more lilac lavender pink vibe with soft shimmers. Au Fil de L’eau on the other hand has a more steel grey blue vibe. Both palettes have excellent pigment with smooth texture. They glide on flawlessly and stay put once on the lids.
Joues Constraste Blush
There is one new Joues Contraste blush called Rose Petillant. This is in the baked version which I’m normally not a fan of but this one surprised me with really good color payoff. It has a soft shimmer to it but once on the skin it’s more of a satiny matte soft pink. Lasting power is excellent!
Glow + Highlighter
The Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops highlighter has some of the prettiest shimmers I’ve ever seen! This is a liquid highlighter that has a soft light pink pearly sheen. It’s lightweight and blends easily onto the skin. It gives the skin a light opalescent glow. If you blend into foundation or use as a base you can definitely sheer it out to wear all over. I prefer it as a highlighter.
Also for the cheeks is a new Gloss Lumiere Multi-Use Top Coat in Miroir D’Eau. This is a translucent glossy opal that flashes pink and blue in a very subtle way. So far I’ve only liked using this on the lips as a soft gloss. It’s fairly sheer so the effect is a barely there glow. You can use on eyes or cheeks too but I don’t usually use glossy products anywhere but the lips.
The two Le Vernis colors in Fleur de Pecher and Petale are both also must-haves. Fleur de Pecher is a smooth shimmery pearly rose pink with noticeable silver shimmer. I love that it applies smoothly and doesn’t show any brush strokes! Petale is a perfect soft pink cream. I applied both with two coats to get full coverage.
Four Looks, Look 1 with Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Au Fil Des Fleur, Rouge Coco Flash in Eau de Rose and Joues Contraste in Rose Petillant:
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Look 2 with Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in Ondee, Joues Contraste in Petale, Rosy Light Drops
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Look 3 with Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Petillant and Rouge Allure Ink Fusion in Pivoine
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Look 4 with Rouge Allure Ink Fusion in Fleur de Lotus, Joues Contraste in Rose Petillant and the Rosy Light Drops
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My top favorites are the two Le Vernis Nail Polishes, Rosy Light Drops and both Rouge Coco Flash colors. I do think everything is lovely and quality is top notch! The quads are a miss for me mainly because I don’t wear pastels on the eyes but quality is excellent. I think the blush has surprisingly good pigment for the baked formula and I think it is an easy one to wear with many different colors.
Today I have a Pat McGrath Labs OpuLUST Gloss ($30 each) review with swatches of all eight colors. She launched these earlier in the year and these are ultra sparkly multi-dimensional lip glosses with a metallic finish. As a huge fan of her LUST Glosses (reviewed here and here) I was eager to try these new ones.
There are eight colors in the OpuLUST Gloss formula. Every color is ultra sparkly and metallic with super opaque pigment. They’re surprisingly smooth without any gritty texture even with all the sparkles. Quality and texture wise these are excellent however the sparkle factor is quite intense and for me I find them too glitzy for everyday wear. I think these are beautiful but for my taste they’re too metallic and too glittery for me to wear comfortably except for parties.
The OpuLUST Gloss comes in the same packaging as the LUST Gloss. Tube form with an angled sponge tip applicator. There’s a slight vanilla scent to these glosses. Lasting power is quite impressive for a gloss and they glide onto the lips very smoothly and stay put for hours.
I do really love how pigmented they are. I’m hoping she will launch a more pigmented gloss version of her LUST Glosses which are gorgeous but more on the sheer side. Here’s a closer look at all the colors:
Coraliason
Coraliason is a pale milky metallic peachy pink. It’s loaded with multi-color glitters and looks like a more intense version of Pale Fire Nectar. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Skin Fetish Foundation in Shade 14.
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Under Your Spell
Under Your Spell is a pale cool-toned pink sparkle. It’s more pink than Coralison but similar in undertone and lightness.
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Lavendaring
Lavendaring is a pale silvery lavender sparkle. It’s fairly pale and true to what you see in the tube. I would love this one as an eyeshadow!
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Dreamscape
Dreamscape is a unique duochrome bronze with pink, almost green and opal flashes. It’s almost like a nude on my lips. I also think this one would make an amazing eyeshadow color.
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Naked Rose
Naked Rose is my favorite of the collection, it’s a metallic rose.
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Venomistress
Venomistress is also quite stunning. It’s a metallic glittery violet plum. If this didn’t have the glitter I’d wear this on date nights.
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Bronze Seductress
Bronze Seductress is a metallic warm coppery bronze. It’s also fairly glitzy and dramatic.
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Glowing Garnet
Glowing Garnet is a metallic red with gold and metallic red glitter flecks.
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Overall quality wise these are excellent. If you love a good shimmer with lots of shine these are going to be great for you! For me I found them too metallic for my comfort zone but found the quality to be true to Pat McGrath’s style and well made. I personally still really prefer her LUST Gloss formula.
Do you love a glitzy gloss? Or do you prefer minimal shimmer? What are some of your favorites?
I’m hosting a giveaway! It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Follow the instructions in the widget below and enter by completing at least 2 steps. The more entries you submit the more entries you receive. Not sponsored or affiliated. Ends 3/5/2020 at 11:59 PM EST. ONE winner will be announce in the widget within 48 hours after giveaway ends and e-mailed by me. Winner must respond within 48 hours. Prizes ship within a week. ONE person will be selected to win:
Mini away travel case in pink, Full Size Sol de Janeiro Nude Cream, Full Size Laura Mercier Lipstick Rose Rouge, Full Size Velour Extreme in Clique, Mini NARS Balm in Hidden Pleasure, Mini Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder, Mini Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Trio, Fresh Lip Trio, Glossier Coconut Balm, 111Skin Rosegold Eye Mask (1 sheet)
As a lip balm and lip gloss fanatic, I could not be more excited to have found a new favorite with the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme. I cannot believe it took me so long to try out the formula and I am thrilled to partner with Too Faced to give you a peek at the new colors! The original clear color has been a popular option for years to volumize the lips. They recently added four new shades that give a very natural flush of color while adding moisture and shine.
The Lip Injection Extreme is a plumping gloss that makes the lips look fuller and super lush. They give a hint of color and feel ultra hydrating and smooth. The gloss has the most comfortable cushiony texture that I’ve ever tried and almost acts like a lip oil, but stays put on the lips.
I recommend applying within the lip line perimeter (avoid getting on the skin outside the lip line). With the plumping ingredients there is a medium tingle factor that only lasts around 5 minutes. As one with sensitive lips, I was thrilled to find the tingle disappears quickly and there is no numbing sensation. Instead, it feels like a hydrating gloss/balm and it lasts for several hours without fading or needing to reapply.
Before and after with the Original shade:
Colors include:
Original is a clear pearly color, goes on clear, transforms my lips into a soft pink
Bubblegum Yum is a soft pink
Tangerine Dream is a sheer melon
Pink Punch is a soft pink
Strawberry Kiss is the most pigmented giving a strawberry pink look
Wearing Tangerine Dream below:
Below wearing Pink Punch:
If you’re looking for a good lip plumper, I highly recommend checking out any of the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme glosses! You can find all five shades at Sephora. The clear one also is available in a mini size.
Have you tried these before? What did you think?
Many thanks to Too Faced for partnering to sponsor this post!
I’m wrapping up the month with a Top 10 February Beauty Favorites roundup! It has been a challenging month for me since I was sick for quite some time. Having an allergic reaction to antibiotics was pretty scary, but I’m full recovered and optimistic next month will be much better! Here were this month’s best products.
The Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops* is one of the prettiest multi-tasking highlighters I’ve tried and I LOVE the packaging! This is a pale iridescent rose liquid cased in a pump style bottle. I was chatting with my friend about these last night and she asked what I thought, my response was she needed them in her life ASAP since she’s obsessed with glowing dewy skin. You can use these as a highlighter on top of foundation, mix it in with your base or wear alone all over underneath your foundation too. It adds a soft luminescent glow and has a very soft rose scent. Since I love this formula so much I’m tempted to order the Le Blanc Healthy Light Creator Oil to try too.
3) Cuyana Tech Case
I’ve been loving all the things I’ve ordered from Cuyana so far and the Tech Case has been a favorite for the size and shape. It’s longer but skinny so I find it fits in my tote easier than a rounded or domed makeup bag. It’s the perfect length and size to hold essentials and I love how it’s lined with leather in side. It’s held up remarkably well! I also love the Travel Set Case and the Vanity Case (this one seems to have been slightly changed in the design).
4) Estee Lauder x Danielle Lauder Act IV Spotlight Highlighter
Earlier this year I partnered with Estee Lauder to share a look at the Danielle Lauder Act IV Collection and my favorite item was the Spotlight Highlighter* for its lavender and golden honey swirl. When mixed it gives the prettiest soft glow and it has been in heavy rotation. I find it so unique for me and love layering it on top of just a bronzer or blush. I think it coordinates well with the Luxe Lip Cremes* in Reel Rose and Reel Coral as well, or both of them mixed together (I layer them on top of the Lip Balm for my perfect spring lip color).
5) Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer
So many of you have asked me for a review of the new Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer* and it’s coming soon! I was sent a selection of colors and found LM12 (more peachy) and LM 13 (more yellow) to be a great match for my under eye area to brighten. It also works to spot conceal although it’s lighter than my skin tone and has a slight peachy undertone. My current foundation shade is Light Medium 14. I’ve ordered a few more concealer colors to try before I do a full review but so far this has been one of the best concealer formulas I’ve ever tried. It blends well, covers and smooths, doesn’t oxidize or budge and doesn’t crease. The Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Powder* is amazing (and a must-have). I still need to play around with all the colors but Medium seems to be great for me.
Wearing LM 13 Concealer below: Right photo has a comparison with concealer on the left side vs right side of face bare to show you the coverage/brightening, no setting powder worn (although I do recommend using one), also shown with Dior Lip Glow in Rosewood, sweater from Vince
6) Estee Lauder x Danielle Lauder Act IV Brushed By Fame Makeup Brush Kit
Another favorite is the Mini Makeup Brush Set* which I pack in my makeup bag when I’m on the go. It’s perfect because it comes with a small flat pouch to keep the brushes protected. I can slip it into my tote or makeup bag and don’t have to worry about the brushes getting ruined or smashed because of the the little case.
7 through 10) Lips!
I had so many favorite lip products this month it was hard to narrow it all down. I really love the Marc Jacobs Re(cover) Hydrating Coconut Lip Oil is so nice on the lips and has a pleasant coconut scent to it. I bought mine from Sephora (currently sold out online) but it’s also available at Neiman Marcus. I highly recommend it. It’s smooth and not sticky.
Dior’s latest Lip Glow is the Rosewood color which I think is one of the best ones yet! It gives my lips a soft rosy glow (as shown in the photo above with the Pat McGrath concealer).
Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask is back and permanent. It’s one of my favorite lip treatments for dry lips. If you haven’t tried it I think it’s a must-have!
For lip plumpers, I’ve actually found two formulas that I really love this month. One I’ll be talking about next week. But one I wanted to mention now is the Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath because it’s now available in their cult classic Pillow Talk shade! It’s a sheer nude pink with high shine and I love how glossy it looks.
That wraps up my Top 10! What were your favorites?
Press samples have a * next to them. Others purchased by me.
