July 2016 Favorites

July has come and almost gone. Is anyone looking forward to the end of summer and cooler temperatures because I sure am! Waiting for trains underground in a NYC subway and then unluckily stepping on to a crowded train car with no air conditioning is the worst. I could go on a rant for hours about NYC public transit issues but we're not here for that. So, here are a few of my favorite makeup and skincare products for the month of July.

The Saem Mojito Powder Mist in Green Grape ($5.67 at Korea Depart)

This claims to be an oil balancing mist that regulate the skin's hydration levels to avoid too much sebum production and keep the skin looking fresh all day. It contains corn powder that absorbs excessive oil for a mattified look. It's also available in a Jelly Mist Grapefruit and Water Mist Lemon. I can't say I notice a decrease in oil production but I love the scent of the mist and how refreshing it feels on the face. You can also use this to set your makeup since the spray mechanism pumps out a very fine mist.

Laura Gellar Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation in Fair ($33 at Ulta)

I cashed out most of my points at Birchbox to purchase this and it was a good decision. I've been interested in Laura Gellar products for awhile and now I'm dying to try the brand's baked blushes and highlighters. The other shades available for the powder foundation are Porcelain, Light, Medium, Golden Medium, Tan, Sand and Deep. Fair is a good shade for me right now but it might be a bit too dark for me in the winter. The shades run a little darker than the descriptions so keep that in mind if you're interested in purchasing this. I've been using a concealer, no foundation, and setting it with the Balance-n-Brighten. It offers good coverage and gives a demi-matte finish while brightening the face.

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in C + Lemongrass ($48 at Sephora)

This came as a complete surprise in the mail from an Allure freebie I entered. I've been mixing the drops in with the Pro YouS Wrinkle SC Renewal Ampoule. You can use it alone or mix it with moisturizers, serums, primers, foundation, or any other way you'd like. I love the citrus scent and how it brightens the complexion. A little goes a long way on my combo-oily skin so this will last forever. I like the drops so much I'm considering purchasing the E + Chamomile (calming) one. The other two varieties are F + Neroli (hydration) and A + Jasmine (anti-aging).

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter ($10.38 at Amazon)

I've been using this product every day, morning and night, since I was 8 or 9 weeks pregnant. It's a little too thick for the summer but it does a good job with relieving any itching I'm experiencing as my stomach stretches out. You can also use this even if you aren't pregnant. It does have a very slight scent that's neither pleasant nor unpleasant, just smells natural. I don't see any stretch marks yet but they're partly genetic and dependent on the amount of weight one gains in pregnancy.

NYX Powder Blush in Summer Peach ($5 on sale for $2.50 at NYX Cosmetics)

This has been my go to blush that I've been constantly reaching for. It's pigmented so a light hand is necessary and has some shimmer in it which gives the cheek a glowy finish perfect for the summer. It lasts all day on the cheeks so you don't have to worry about any fading.

I'm Meme I'm Lip Tint in Las Vegas Orchid PK652 ($14 at Memebox)

I wrote a short and quick overview about the I'm Meme Lip Tint in Russia Purple and a few other Memebox lip products which you can read here if you're interested. I've been loving this shade, which doesn't pick up as much of the purple undertones on camera, and the pretty stain it leaves behind on the lips well after the product has worn off. It's plenty pigmented so I often just dot the tint on my lips in a few places and spread with my finger. I'm not sure if Memebox is phasing the product out since half of the shades are no longer sold on the site. If you see a shade you like, grab one now in case they don't come back in stock.

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Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer

Pregnancy Update

I realize this is primarily a beauty blog but my life is about to drastically change in a few months with the impending arrival of my twin boys. Of course I still love talking about beauty but I'm equally excited to become a first time mother. It's still a little strange to say I'm pregnant even when my body is clearly changing on the outside. I always knew I wanted children but when my husband and I finally started trying for a child, we never thought it would take almost three years. I feel extremely blessed to be pregnant (and pregnant with two other beings) and to have maintained a relatively healthy pregnancy thus far. Anyway, I thought I'd talk about the changes that have happened so far with my skin and body. At the time of this blog post, I've just entered the third trimester at 27 weeks and 5 days.