Yikes, I created a draft of this post the last week of July, thinking I’d have it published on the blog around July 31, but here it is, Aug. 3, and I’m still drafting. Time goes by so fast sometimes!
But yay, it’s August…love this month for one reason and one reason only — my birthday! I’ll be the big 2-6 this Saturday, Aug. 7. Not excited about the number, but I love my birthday, so I’ll deal with being in my (eek) late 20s.
Enough with the ramble, let’s get on to the things I was loving in July (and am still loving right now).
Makeup: Pink and coral lips
For me, summer has been all about playing up my lips, something I tend to neglect because they’re the last step in my everyday makeup routine. Usually, I toss on a generic berry gloss for some shine, and I’m out the door. But in July, I began experimenting with really pretty pink and coral lipsticks and glosses, and I’m loving pairing a neutral eye look with a pop of color on my lips, like I did in this recent Face of the Day. Favorite pink and coral lip products for July?
- Sally Hansen Natural Makeup Inspired by Carmindy lipstick in Baby Pink (This was in my Top 15 Drugstore Beauty Products list, and it’s a go-to for me when I’m in a hurry and can’t decide what I want on my lips. It’s a pretty sheen of the sweetest pink, but not too Barbie.)
- MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Do it Up (Got this at the CCO. I think it was part of a 2008 collection of Dazzleglass Cremes. Loooove the formula and the shimmery, blue-toned pink color of the gloss. I love topping a neutral lipstick with this. It’s just the right amount of “BAM!” pink. If you see this at your CCO, grab it up! So fun for summer. Excuse the sloppy swatch. Took the picture on my webcam, so it’s not great quality.)
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef (one of the spring/summer colors in this line. LOVE that it’s bright but really wearable.)
- Revlon ColorStay Mineral Lip Glaze in Continuous Coral (I’m a sucker for Revlon glosses in coral tones, I guess! Here’s a recent face of the day featuring this gloss. See what I mean about pairing light, neutral eyes with a wow lip? Love it.)
Body: Sugar scrubs
I am all about lotions and body butter and all that jazz, but believe it or not, July was the first time I experimented with a sugar scrub in my shower routine. And? I shall never shower without sugar again! After washing my body and rinsing off the soap, I cover myself in the scrub and rub it in to lather before rinsing again. My skin is left so soft and smooth, and the scent is really sweet and pleasant.
I’ve been using a Bath & Body Works scrub in Japanese Cherry Blossom, but I wouldn’t say I’m above trying out different brands/scents/etc. Give me your sugar scrub suggestions!
Hauling:Sales!
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good sale. And if there’s a second thing I love, it’s being able to use a coupon during that sale. And if there’s a third thing I love, it’s getting something good for nothin’ (or close to nothin’). When it came to hauling in July, I scored majorly by pairing clearance/sale finds with coupons and got some great buys for pennies.
You have to remember that steal of a deal from one of my recent Target hauls, right? Under a buck for tinted moisturizer and bronzer! The best tip I can offer for saving money when you know you’re going to be spending money is clipping coupons. It may only be $1 off, but if you’re getting something on clearance or during a sale, that $1 will be off an already reduced price and make more of a difference. And speaking of awesome Target clearance, check out these cute peep-toe flats I scored for under $5:
Super cute, right? And because I live in Texas (where the weather is either hot, or super hot), I don’t really have to worry about how seasonal something is. I’ll be wearing these babies in July, September, and even into October and November. Another good tip is at places like Target and Kohls — never buy full price if you can wait! All their items eventually make their way to the sale rack.
Reviewing: Organic products
One of the awesome things about beauty blogging is that I get to try out new products and help to spread the word about companies you may not know about. Two of those companies that I found in July feature awesome, organic, paraben-free skincare — Bubble and Bee and Passport to Organics Turmeric Cream. I owe you full reviews of both (coming soon, since I’ve had some time to test both out) but I’ve done quick first impressions here and here.
I’ve been testing out the Bubble and Bee organic lip balm and organic lotion stick, both in Rude Raspberry, and my lips and feet have never been happier! A+ to this company for super cute packaging, legit products and giving me a non-water-based lotion in a stick form, which is perfection for keeping my feet soft and smooth.
This turmeric cream lotion from Passport to Organics is doing wonders for my skin! Turmeric is a miracle ingredient…it’s an anti-inflammatory, so it helps with redness, which I have a ton of. The consistency is lightweight, so it’s moisturizing but not heavy. Really liking this.
Fashion: Casual, but pulled together
I love the combo of burnout tees (those warn, vintage looking shirts) or boyfriend tees over cute tanks/camis and gray wash jeans (I know, I know — it’s summertime and I shouldn’t be sporting jeans. I spend a lot of time in air conditioning, so no worries!)
You can’t really see the lacy green tank under this white pocket tee from Target ($8! the cheapest, cutest, most comfy tee you’ll find), but I love that I can be comfortable in clothes like this but not feel like a complete and total bum. I dress up for work (like I showed in this outfit of the week post) so when it’s time for going out on the weekend, I want to be young and fun. I pair simple, casual pieces like this with fun accessories, and overall, I end up with a look I’m really happy with.
And now for some July favorites that are sort of random and not on the fashion/makeup/beauty subject…
Food find: Cake Balls!
We took a weeklong summer vacation at the beginning of July to San Antonio and Austin (two of my favorite TX cities) and I made a very important discovery…
Cake balls. These are from Holy Cacao in Austin, and they are magnificent. Imagine your favorite cake ever. Now imagine that cake crumbled with your favorite frosting, formed into a ball and frozen, and then dipped in ganache. Yeah, it’s that good.
Listenin’ to: Tony Lucca – Rendezvous with the Angels
Tony Lucca is awesome, and if you haven’t heard his music before, what are you waiting for? His latest CD came out in July, and I’ve been listening to it nonstop. So good. I saw him live earlier this year and got a bunch of video for my YouTube channel, so check it out if you like amazing music (and I bet you do!).
