{Beauty} July Favourites

This month has been filled with beauty go-tos, with not too much that you guys haven't seen or heard about before... Maybe the heat has made me complacent in the beauty department, I don't know. Regardless, there are a few products that have been used on the regular this month that were too good not to share, even though they're not exactly the sexiest of things... Just hear me out, guys.

ALBA BOTANICA SPF 45: First up, the essentials; and when it's as hot outside as it currently is, there's nothing more essential than a good sunscreen. I've been using this one from Alba Botanica all month long (a fab recommendation from Sandy) and I'm obsessed — it's super emollient and nourishing, less chemical-ridden than your average sunscreen, and it smells of sweet, sweet lavender... nuff said.

TANGLE TEASER: A pretty basic favourite, but a favourite nonetheless. It detangles my hair like a dream, plus it's great for travel (so compact!). Even Mr. AiF is into it — I think he might just use this sucker more than I do (shhh, don't tell him I told you).

CHINA GLAZE NAIL POLISH: No lie — this colour (amply dubbed 'Pool Party') may just be the greatest summer shade of all time. It's bright, cheerful and gives your hands that healthy, tanned look that can be hard to come by from a nail polish... This one's a winner, friends.

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION (IN CEYLAN): Remember last month when I said I repurchased this foundation to make my tube of Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation last longer? Well that sure backfired, because I've been going through this sucker like nobody's business. It's just so nice and lightweight, while still delivering the perfect amount of coverage... I guess I'll just have to pick up another foundation to keep from using this one all up too (insert evil laugh here).

SEPHORA DAILY MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER: Remember how I said this assortment's not the sexiest? Well I wasn't kidding. But this brush cleaner has seriously changed my life. I just spritz it on my brushes after a couple uses, swirl them around on paper towel, and voila! Clean, disinfected brushes that you can use straight away. I've even noticed that my skin is clearer since the regular brush cleanups started, but that could totally be coincidental... Whatever you do, just don't take the convenience of this product to mean that you'll never have to lather up those brushes of yours again — sorry bb's, it's good but it's not that good.

WELEDA WILD ROSE DEODORANT: Yup, I went there. But when you find a good-for-you deodorant that — hold the phone — actually works, you scream it from the rooftops (or, you know, type it emphatically into your keyboard). I was hesitant to test it out on account of it being summer and all (read: hot and sticky), but if it can stand up to this heat wave then you know it's legit... #obsessed

Photos by Adventures in Fashion

{Beauty} June Favourites

It's time for another monthly favourites, and although I'm a bit late with this one (hey, I just really wanted to share my nails post with you guys!), I hope these products are as interesting to you as they are to me. Everything featured here was in heavy rotation throughout the month of June (and many will make their way into July, I'm sure), so without further ado, here's a breakdown of what I've been loving lately!

CLINIQUE CHEEK POPS: No exaggeration — this is the only blush I've used all month. And you know what? I have a feeling that's going to be the case for the entire summer. I've been using the shade 'Berry Pop' and have found it to be the most natural looking flush I've ever gotten from a powder blush... Check out this post for more blush musings, but the cheek pop and I are currently BFFs.

MAC'S "RELENTLESSLY RED" LIPSTICK: Oh my gawd you guys, this colour is INSANE! It's from MAC's retro matte range (who doesn't love a good matte lipstick?), and it's the most amazing pinky red I've ever tried... swoon. Just make sure your pout is well-moisturized as the formula can be a touch drying!

L'OREAL MISS MANGA MASCARA: Holy shizzz, this stuff is rad. And to be honest with you, I don't think I've ever been more excited to see a product lining a drugstore shelf before. I had heard about this mascara ad nauseam over the past few months, but because it was only recently released in north america, the hype had gotten to me and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. In my haste to grab one, however, I mistakenly picked up waterproof, which is not typically my jam... but you know what? This stuff is great regardless, and if waterproof mascara is good enough for Anna (my all-time favourite beauty babe), it's good enough for me.

NAILS INC. LATEX EFFECT NAIL POLISH IN "BERMONDSEY STREET": I've spoken about this one before, so I'll spare you the details, but just know this — this shade is unreal. Just be sure to use a base coat, unless you think stained nails are cute (you've been warned).

ELIZABETH AND JAMES NIRVANA WHITE PERFUME: With this stuff, it was love at first sniff, and luckily for me, this mini roller was a point perk at Sephora. June was pretty much spent rubbing this all over my body — I may have killed a few brain cells along the way, but hey, dem the breaks.

CAUDALIE DIVINE OIL: The mini aisle of Sephora lures its ugly head again... This stuff was a total impulse purchase, but you know what? Sooooo worth it. I slather it on my face and body, morning and night, and hot damn am I ever glowy... I think a full-sized repurchase is in order.

TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY 12-HOUR FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION: Believe the hype, friends — this foundation is ah-mazing. It's easily the best I've ever tried, and that's no exaggeration. It's super thick and gives a nice level of coverage, yet it somehow lets your skin shine through for a natural look... genius. You've probably heard it all before, but if you haven't tried this and are looking for a new foundation, I would definitely recommend this one. I even went out and repurchased a bottle of NARS Sheer Glow just so I wouldn't go through this stuff as quickly... That's totally reasonable, right? Hmmmm.

MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND ERASER DARK CIRCLES CONCEALER: With this one, all I can say is beauty bloggers made me do it. There were just too many people buzzing about the stuff, and in an attempt to preserve my NARS Creamy Concealer for as long as humanly possible (are we sensing a trend here?), I figured I just had to. I normally don't like to wear any concealer under my eyes, but this one's so light and nourishing that I don't mind — totally worth a try, ladies!

REAL TECHNIQUES STIPPLING BRUSH: This is the only thing I've been using to apply my base lately, and let me tell you, it rocks. It seamlessly blends my makeup and is so darn affordable that there's really no reason not to pick one up... and if you live in Canada (hollah!), just stalk Winners until one turns up — hey, you might as well save a few bucks!

And that's it! Hope you guys liked this roundup of goodies, and please let me know what products you're into these days... I'm looking for a good serum if you have any recommendations! xx

Photos by Adventures in Fashion