Monthly Favorites

I’m rounding up my September beauty favorites! Fall is officially here although I feel like we’re skipping this season and going straight into holiday with the beauty sets and holiday launches rolling in already. I’ll have some on new beauty launches soon but for now here is what I loved in September.

New Favorite Foundation Brush

My favorite discovery of the month is the Laura Mercier Real Foundation Brush ($46). For some reason this brush doesn’t seem to be available everywhere even though it was launched with their new Real Flawless Foundation (I wear the shade 3N1 Buff). This is hands down THE best foundation brush I’ve tried. It’s even better than the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Brush.

The Laura Mercier Real Foundation Brush has a very unique shape and the perfect density. The brush is angled and made in a tear drop shape so it glides along the angles of your face for flawless foundation application. The teardrop shape makes it easy to get product in the detail areas or corners perfectly – I wonder why nobody else has made a brush like this before.

Foundation application is smooth and streak free. I like the length of the brush bristles too – it’s not too short and not too long. You can find it at Laura Mercier or Macy’s (if you’ve spotted it at other places let me know!).

Budget Beauty Favorites

I have some budget beauty favorites this month! They’re not new (a few of them I’ve reviewed before) but I wanted to put them on your radar because they’re too good to miss out on.

The Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter is one of the best glowy complexion enhancers I’ve tried. They recently added more shades so you might find a better match now. I wear Shade 3 or 4 so when they added 3.5 Medium Neutral Olive I ordered it to try thinking it would be a good in-between color. I still find Shade 4 best for me right now because 3.5 is very olive, but I don’t mind having another shade in the mix.

The glow isn’t too glowy. I can definitely wear it alone or mix it with a foundation all over the face. Right now the new shades appear to only be at Elf Cosmetics and Ulta Beauty. I suspect they’ll roll out the new shades to Target etc. soon.

Maybelline has quite a few products that have gone viral on TikTok and after falling in love with the Sky High Mascara and Lifter Gloss I’ve been trying more from the line.

Their Super Stay 24H Skin Tint Foundation 100% lives up to the hype for a long-wear fluid foundation. I haven’t explored much in budget/affordable foundations because most of them run too pink or peach in undertone. The good news is more brands are offering better shade options and ranges these days. I was happy to find a good match with Shade 310. Quick note though for those sensitive to alcohol in foundations, take note this one has it pretty high on the list. Luckily this did not irritate my skin.

Lasting power is really impressive, even in humid weather. I did not put it to the test for a full 24 hours, but it did last a solid 12 pretty well. It’s a fluid formula with medium coverage but you can layer it. Coverage is natural looking with a subtle glow and has enough pigment to cover the skin nicely.

I also really like the Super Stay Matte Hybrid Powder Foundation (in the same shade). It has pretty good coverage but I like to use it as a setting powder with a brush. Demo of the product in action HERE.

Lip Loves

Dior Addict Lip Maximizers are always in my bag. Shimmer Rose, Rosewood and Rose Nude are my most-worn colors with (Rose Nude gets the most compliments). Dior just launched 3 NEW SHADES for the holiday online and I posted a quick reel with them here. In case you missed it I’m sharing it here on the blog too. Nude Bloom is the prettiest peachy pink nude with a slight golden sheen, Pure Copper is a stunning sparkling copper (glittery and super sparkly but texture is smooth), Holo Silver is a sheer sparkling silver.

Swatch comparisons below:

Three other formulas I have been loving include:

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 162 Pulsing Rosehip (one of the best healthy flushed pinks I’ve tried) and 150 Nude Lingerie (warmer pink shimmer, almost looks peach next to 162, but I can assure you it’s pink).

Tarte added new shades of the Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump. I need to share an updated swatch post, but the newest shade Rosebud is SO pretty. It’s the best one they’ve made yet. Also available in some sets like this duo.

The Maybelline Lifter Gloss is a formula I feel like all of you already know about but I’ve rediscovered it and it made my favorites list this month. I picked up the jelly shades from the summer launch and love them. Peach Ring and Gummy Bear are so pretty. I also restocked a few I had used up – Reef is the perfect light neutral.

Bath & Body Care

Two body care items I’ve been loving are from Ouai and Herbivore Botanicals. We’ve been using the Ouai Fur Bebe Pet Shampoo on Ollie and he always smells so good after we wash him with this. I had hoped there was a human option in the same scent but there is not.

I’ve tried Melrose Place before (and loved it) but wanted to try something new so I ordered Dean Street. It’s a really nice fruity floral that isn’t too sweet. It has linden blossom and a little bit of amber to balance it out. Smells clean, fresh and I’ve loved it enough to buy a few refills.

Herbivore Botanicals sent over a few things to try for a project. I really love their Nova Serum and now am curious about the other serums they have in their lineup. The stand out to me is their Cloud Milk Coconut Firming Body Cream. I have been obsessed with their Coconut Bath Milk Soak for the longest time and was really excited for a body cream.

It’s a silky buttery smooth cream that feels lightweight like a cloud when you apply. It is lightly scented with coconut and vanilla but isn’t overpowering. For a quick reference, if you like the texture of Kopari creams but aren’t a fan of the strong scent or super thick texture, I think the Herbivore is a better option. It’s creamy and hydrating but fast absorbing, not sticky and isn’t overpowering in scent.

Fall Nail Polish

I’ve been in my neutral-nail polish era for so long I feel like it’s time for a change. I pulled out the Chanel Le Vernis in 165 Bois des Iles again (reviewed here with the fall collection) and have been really surprised by all the compliments and attention it’s getting!

Other Makeup Loves

For the cheeks (blush, bronzer, highlight) the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palettes (reviewed here) have been in heavy rotation. I keep going back and forth between Jellyfish and Leopard as my favorite. Even with repeat shades or similarities I find myself reaching for these the most and think they’re very versatile. They’re now available at all retailers like Nordstrom, Sephora, Bluemercury and Ulta Beauty.

I’ve filmed looks with all three:

Jellyfish here
Leopard here
Snake here

I also have a few repeats that have made the favorites list again. I think the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder and Concealer are holy grail material. You can read the full review here, but nothing really compares to the airbrushed look or lasting power that Prisme Libre has.

The Gucci Illuminator is one of the prettiest liquid highlighters I’ve tried. I don’t know why it’s not raved about more! Review + swatches in this post here. (PS I’ll be posting my review + swatches of the new Gucci Concealer very soon.)

Perfume Favorite

Celine Parade has been in heavy rotation. It’s a beautiful citrus scent I think is super unique and different. You can read my review of all their perfumes in this post. I’ve tried the others over the past year and Parade still remains my favorite.

Hair Care

Last but not least, I wanted to give the ghd Platinum+ Hair Styler another mention. It’s my number one go-to hair styling took for sleek smooth hair or waves. As much as I love the Dyson Airwrap for easy waves, the curls just don’t last as long as with a hot tool. (I do use it regularly as a blow dryer though.) The ghd flat iron goes with me on every trip and it’s a life saver to style hair. I was thrilled to partner with them again to show a how-to demo of how to curl my hair with it. For me it’s particularly useful because I’m not the best at curling my hair with a curling iron – I almost always burn my fingers or forehead and a few times I’ve sizzled off hair because the irons were too hot.

 

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The ghd Platinum+ Styler stays at a constant 365 degree temperature. It has sensors inside to maintain that constant heat.

That wraps up September’s favorites! What did you love this past month?

I’m rounding up my January favorites for the month! Here’s the edited list of what I’ve been loving!

I’ve been loving the Necessaire Body Oil for a really nice body oil that’s hydrating and fragrance-free. It absorbs nicely into the skin and leaves the skin feeling super hydrated. I still really love the Sisley Velvet Body Cream and La Mer Body Cream I featured in my Self-Care Favorites, but sometimes it’s nice to have an unscented option! Also one that is more affordable but still has that luxe feel.

I hauled a few of the Hermes nail products last year, one was on backorder and the Les Mains Hermes Nourishing Oil finally arrived! It’s quite an expensive cuticle oil but I really love it. It’s hydrating and effective. This formula is one that keeps selling out and has been a little hard to find but I pre-ordered it from Saks a while ago and it finally came in the mail. Currently available at Hermes, Selfridges and Saks (pre-order) but I do see it pop up on other retailers every once in a while when it restocks.

For foundation I reviewed three new ones recently and out of all of them the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin has been my favorite formula in 6 Neutral (on the face here). It has just the right amount of glow, coverage, texture and finish that I like. Similar to the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation but the Charlotte Tilbury seems just slightly more opaque. Some shades have sold out so you may have to do a bit of searching to find your match. Available at Charlotte Tilbury, Nordstrom and Sephora.

For color my go-to neutral blush is Laura Mercier Fresco. It’s been featured here before many times and I love it for the color and slight hint of shimmer. It’s the perfect neutral tan blush with some peach tones to give you a bit of natural color. Swatches + comparisons in this post here.

My go-to eyeshadow palettes have been the Natasha Denona Biba (review + swatches here) and Too Faced Natural Nudes (review here).

I found the perfect opaque baby pink nail polish with Dior Rose Quartz. It has the perfect undertone: pale, not too chalky, not too blue. It’s also opaque and smooth with 2 coats. I ordered it from Dior.com and it’s pure love.

For the lips I have so many loves but if I had to narrow it down to my top four, I’ve been loving the Dior Lip Maximizer in Bronze from holiday (review here). It’s a limited-edition color and I bought a backup. It’s a sheer bronze sparkle lip plumper. The Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Gold is similar if you can’t find the Dior one.

My love for the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balms continues! I’ve been loving Grapefruit for a nice juicy soft peach. (Currently on sale at Tarte!)

The Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil Johnny (swatched here too) has been a go-to for the perfect neutral pink. It’s not too dark, not too light, just the perfect in between kind of rose pink.

I love a good tinted lip balm and love the Chanel Rouge Coco Baumes from their Spring-Summer Collection, Flirty Coral is my favorite, but I love all the colors.

I bought the Byredo Young Rose as soon as it was available in the 50 ml size. It’s such a pretty spring time perfume and even though it’s named Young Rose, I don’t really detect a lot of rose notes. It’s a fresh sweet floral kind of scent, but not in an overpowering overly sweet way. Notes include Sichuan Pepper, Ambrette Seeds, Damascena Rose, Orris, Musk, Ambroxan.

For the hair, I’ve been loving the Olaplex Bonding Oil + Bond Smoother mixed for a smooth frizz-free blowout. A lot of you have been so kind to comment on how smooth my hair always seems to look. The reality is it takes a lot of work to maintain as I have naturally frizzy hair which requires a lot of smoothing, styling and extra help to keep smooth! In case you want to see my routine you can check out the Reel I did with Ulta Beauty.

 

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A few other staples I’ve been loving. Long-time readers know I’m a huge fan of APL! I did a Roundup Review of the styles in an older post that I reference anytime I get questions about comfort, sizing, style favorites. I still wear them nearly everyday. They wash easily in the washing machine although I give them a soak first in the tub. Scuff marks and stains come out easily with some dish soap and a sponge. I throw them in the washing machine and then air dry them.

Favorite sneaker style is the Techloom Breeze.

Sizing, style info, etc in THIS POST HERE.

Also love the APL Slides!

Last mention is the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag. I’ve loved this for so long but don’t think I’ve done a full review. They had a few cute fleece options over the holiday which have sold out, but I also love the classic nylon material. The size is perfect for on-the-go kind of use. I use this whenever Andrew and I go on long walks. I also used it to walked Lucy too (RIP). It’s nice to carry just the essentials without having to carry a full purse.

I have it in multiple colors. Everywhere Belt Bag colors top to bottom is the light grey (older color), Pastel Pink, Mulled Wine and Black. Sweatshirt is Lululemon, biker shorts are Free People.

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What was on your favorites list this month?

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I cannot believe the entire month has flown by and at this time I wonder where the entire year went! To wrap up the end of the month I’m rounding up my Top 10 favorites for November.

Complexion Favorites

I’ve been loving my Armani Luminous Silk Foundation lately ($64, I wear Shade 6.5). It’s always been a favorite but I have found myself reaching for it more and more. I just used up another bottle and need to repurchase one. (Review here.)

Chantecaille re-launched their Perfect Blur Finishing Powder ($79) earlier this year in their Flower Power Collection. It was limited-edition in the flower embossed compact but they have it now in permanent form in the classic grey compact. I’ve been using the one I have but purchased a backup as it’s almost used up. I use Light/Medium. It looks light in the compact but has a transparent finish on the skin and blurs out pores and sets makeup beautifully.

Chanel’s Fluide Enlumineur Or Ivoire Highlighter ($48) has become a favorite. I mix it in with foundation for a beautiful glow. I rarely order backups these days of makeup but this one is listed as limited-edition and ordered another one. Review here.

Perfume Favorite

I have so many perfume favorites this time of year but one that stands out is the Mizensir Tres Chere ($260). This one is described as “a poetic love letter in a bottle” and I couldn’t agree more. It has a mix of orange blossom, bourbon vanilla and sandalwood. It’s a soft sweet scent which I love.

I was introduced to Mizensir earlier this year with a sampler of their perfumes and love the selection. The line was founded by master perfumer Alberto Morillas. He’s the genius behind many of the iconic scents such as Gucci Bloom, Acqua di Gio, Marc Jacobs Daisy to name a few. I love the little details in the line – their fragrances are unisex and designed to capture a mood. The warmer scents are enclosed in a gold-capped bottle while the fresher scents have a silver cap. The house symbol on each bottle features Alberto Morilla’s Jack Russell terriers which touches my heart.

Long-time readers know we used to have two Jack Russells (we still have one!). Jake (who passed away a couple years ago) and Lucy (who is 16 and slowing down, but still hanging in there).

The team has been kind enough to offer me a promo code for my readers. You can save 15% off your first order with code SABRINA15 (US site only). They also have sampler sets you can buy which I think is great.

I tried a few of them in the sampler form and love For Your Love and Luxury too.

Hand + Nail Care

For the nails my favorite has been the Hermes Nail Polish in Rouge H ($45). I ordered several shades but haven’t tried them all. At $45 each they are quite the splurge. A number of you have asked for a review and whether or not I think they’re worth $45. I’m really happy and pleased with the formula, color and wear time. I think they’re just as good as Chanel, Smith and Cult and OPI in terms of wear. Pigment for the colors I ordered is excellent. Two coats covers the nail perfectly. These have a wider tip brush for easy application. I don’t know that they’re worth $45 as I don’t think any nail color is. But I have no regrets! I ordered mine from Saks but the shade is currently sold out there. You can find it still at Hermes.com.

I will try to swatch/review the other shades too but for now here are some comparisons. At arm’s length the color Rouge H is very similar to other shades like Chanel Vamp, Rouge Noir etc.

The color you all have been loving the most though is Chanel Rouge Intemporel (from Holiday 2021, swatched here). It sold out at Chanel.com but I just saw it pop up at Saks Fifth Avenue here if you’ve been looking for it!

For top coat I’ve been really liking the Essie Speed Setter ($10). It’s a fast-dry top coat and does dry quickly and helps extend polish wear. A few things to note though. One is that you need to let your polish color dry completely first. It won’t speed up the dry time of your polish but it is a quick-dry formula for the top coat. Two is that there can be some shrinkage if you don’t cover your entire nail area.

For hand cream I’ve still been loving the Chanel La Crème Main ($50). I love all the formulas actually. I think it’s such a nice splurge.

Eye Makeup

For the eyes I’ve been loving the NARS Unwrapped Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25) in Laguna (on the eyes here). It has all of my favorite tones and I love the mix of sparkles and mattes.

Lips

Top two lip favorites this month include the Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom in Dream (review here) and the Dior Lip Maximizer in Bronze. The Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom is a creamy swipe and go kind of formula. Dream is the best color (in my opinion)!

Also love the Dior Lip Maximizer in Bronze (reviewed here). It’s a sheer sparkly gold with a glossy finish.

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That wraps up my Top 10 this month! What were your favorites?