It's my favorite weekend of the year! The last weekend of summer! This summer was really rough for me. I was unemployed, trying my hand at freelancing and still looking for a full-time gig. I was challenged mentally, emotionally, and professionally so the fact that the summer is over and I start a new job in two weeks sounds pretty great.

It's not a surprise to me that I would start a new, incredible job at the start of my favorite season just as if I was starting school! The harmony involved in this is really satisfying to me.

I made my annual trip to Bath and Body Works and Target today to stock up on Fall scents and pumpkin/apple-flavored things. Everything is falling into place!

On another note, I was very absent from the blog this week and truthfully I just needed a break. I've been preoccupied and I was just moody this week; the last thing I felt like doing was writing. I think I have to admit that I have been suffering from a bad case of writer's block but I'm hoping a sense of routine will whip me back into shape.

For now, let's dive into the week!

PS: If you have not, you need to try the Nude Lips fragrance from KKW x Kylie. It is vanilla, musk, amber, and more warm notes that will make you want to cozy up in a blanket.


Links to Love

What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week





xoxo 
B
It is my time! August is over, summer is over and next week unofficially starts Fall. This is when I shine and this year is going to be a better Fall than all the rest. It's a truly fresh start for me! After a long 4-5 months of unemployment (storytime on that coming soon), I will be starting a new job in two weeks so it's like going back to school for me.

This Fall I also have a few weddings, some fun fall activities, a Jonas Brothers concert, and of course, my birthday. It's going to be a good season!

But before we get into the fun of Fall, we have to wrap up the summer with the last favorites post!

Monthly Favorites

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda


I don't know where I mentioned this or if I even did but I've gone back to the Lilly Pulitzer agenda. I still am using my Louis Vuitton MM Agenda as a notebook/sort of planner but this year I really needed something a little bigger. I was craving a change and I decided my Erin Condren wasn't going to do it for me anymore. Lilly just has the best layout, with the least amount of hassle. Sometimes simple is best and that's what I needed this year. We'll see if it changes because it usually does halfway through the year! So far, so good though! It's been sitting at home on my desk and has been keeping me on track. I will be traveling with it to work once I start so I will report back if anything changes! 



Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss

Thanks to one of my sorority sisters, I won a beauty giveaway from Carly Hill this month! I was so excited to get my hands on some new beauty goodies (when am I not?); one of the items was an Urban Decay Hi-Fi Lipgloss in the shade 'Obsessed' and I wasn't too thrilled about it because I felt that I had heard bad reviews about this particular formula. Well, I was mistaken because this is my new favorite lipgloss. It is not sticky, has a very minty/plumping feel and adds the right amount of shine to any lip look. I've been really into adding lipgloss on top of a regular or liquid lipstick and this has definitely become a staple. 


Kylie Cosmetics Sippin Pretty Eyeshadow Palette

I had my eye on this palette last year when Kylie released it for her 21st birthday but ended up not getting it. Well, it made its way to Ulta this year and I almost bought it a handful of times. I ended up not getting it because it's a $65 palette and I have too many eyeshadow palettes. It was recently 50% off and I was shopping with my aunt who so kindly purchased it for me. Holy hell, I am in love. I haven't really been using anything else all month. These shadows are super soft, very pigmented, and blend like a dream. Also, don't let the hot pinks scare you away -- it's a very wearable palette that you can create countless looks with. 

Love Wellness Bye Bye Bloat

I did talk about Bye Bye Bloat in my favorite wellness supplements post but I was off of it for a little while. It tastes and smells so bad and I just couldn't use it. However, this month I was pretty desperate because I felt so bloated on many occasions. I just hold my nose and guzzle water to mask the taste. I take it after a meal or at night, per the directions and feel so much better and not bloated in the AM or a few hours later. It's like a magic pill and I highly recommend! 


I hope you all have a great last few days of August!! 

xoxo
B


We are slowly but surely coming to the end of August and this week I had my first PSL of the season. Dunkin Donuts released their pumpkin goodies on Wednesday and on the way to my boyfriend's house, I picked up an iced PSL. I only had a few sips before it gave me a stomachache but it was so worth it. I almost walked into Bath and Body Works today too but I refrained.

In other news, I got a haircut in the salon for the first time in years (my friend usually cuts my hair in the house) and wow, I don't remember being this emotional about my hair. They cut it way too short and now my hair which used to be in the middle of my back is shorter than my shoulders. I did NOT want it that way and told him to just cut off a few inches, to give me a good, healthy trim but he did not listen. I didn't realize he was going that short until he got to the front of my head and then it was too late. I cried hysterically when I left the salon and didn't look into the mirror until hours later.

Hair is really emotional for me and I remember the last time I got my hair cut a little too short, I was a child and had the same reaction. I really like my long hair and am very attached to my 'hair routine' of being able to style it however I want. Thankfully my hair grows like a weed so, within two weeks, it'll probably be back to normal. It was just a rough day for me.

It was also rough on Wednesday when news broke that my favorite housewife of all time, Bethenny Frankel, was leaving the RHONY cast. I was with my boyfriend when I found out and I literally couldn't focus on anything else but being upset that my favorite boss was no longer going to provide epic one-liners every week. SO SAD. 

However, the good part about today was Taylor Swift's new album, Lover, was released. It definitely is a different Taylor Swift sound but more similar to 1989 than Reputation was. Red is forever my favorite album of all time but this is a really great one. Taylor Swift's music makes me feel 16 years old and I love it.

I'm currently binging Disney Youtube videos on a Friday night and plan to crash soon as I have a busy weekend ahead!


Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week

I also bought a Lilly Pulitzer pen case and some diamond pens-- all for my new job that I start in a few weeks! I'm also on a huge Disney kick and BoxLunch had a 30% off flash sale so I picked up a Tinkerbell t-shirt and a princess cardholder.


Have a great weekend! 
xoxo 
B
I read "The Drowning" by J.P Smith a few months ago, thanks to NetGalley (as I've been getting all my books recently) and it surprised me in more ways than one.

the drowning jp smith

Publisher's Summary

It doesn’t take long for a little boy to disappear. Joey Proctor can’t swim, but that doesn’t stop camp counselor Alex Mason from leaving him out on a raft in the middle of the lake in a fit of rage. Alex only meant to scare the kid, teach him a lesson. He didn’t mean to forget about him. But now Joey is gone… and his body is never found.
More than twenty years later, Alex is a success. The proof is there for anyone to see, in the millions of dollars he makes, his lavish house, his beautiful wife and daughters. And no one knows what happened that summer at camp. At least, no one should know. But it looks like Joey Proctor may be back to take his revenge…

My Thoughts

When I first read that publishers summary I was incredibly intrigued. A boy is left on a raft at camp and then no one can find him - surely he drowned? Who was haunting Alex ... was it actually Joey or someone else?


When you meet Alex as an adult his personality is so-so. I remember not being crazy about him but also not totally hating him. He is the typical macho, businessman who is a semi-family man but also a bit of a sleaze. 


As Alex is close to nailing a business deal, he starts to get weird signs that relate to Joey Proctor, the boy who he left out on a raft all those years ago. You definitely can see how the signs/haunting would be Joey but there is also an underlying feeling that something more sinister is going on.


Throughout the novel, you want to scream at Alex for being such an idiot and not going about things the way he should've but that was really the only complaint I had ... but in reality, what is a book if you don't want to yell at the protagonist at least once? 


At first, I thought the book was going to be a typical ghost story with a twist or two but Smith takes Alex on a journey I never would've figured out. The plot twists that occur are really wild; there are a lot of deaths, cover-ups, and fake outs plus the ending is not what I expected. 


I flew through this book because it kept me on the edge of my seat and kept everything really interesting. If you need something thrilling and to keep you guessing, you will obsess over "The Drowning."


xoxo
B


I don't know if it's just me but I have a lot of weird habits. I have an obsessive personality and crave routine so it's really hard for me to step outside my comfort zone. That is especially true when it comes to fashion.

I've said it before but when it comes to getting dressed I have to be comfortable. If I am not comfortable then my entire day is ruined and I will be in the worst mood. It has happened too many times before where I get dressed, leave my house and then want to cry because of the discomfort I felt. I'm pretty sure I've been like this since I was little and I don't see myself breaking out of this any time soon.

That being said, whenever I shop for clothes or get dressed for the day, I need to be comfortable and I have developed a very weird fashion habit to maintain comfort.

My weird fashion habit (one of many) is that I wear a camisole under every outfit. I have quite a number of the same black camisoles from Nordstrom Rack that I switch between on a daily basis. It doesn't matter what kind of shirt I'm wearing, I have a camisole on underneath. It bothers my mother till no end and it honestly bothers me too but I just can't help it.

You can see my cami peeking through! 


I think the reason I always wear a camisole is that it holds me in. I think it smooths out my body, holds in my chest and makes bras a little more comfortable to wear. Maybe that means I need a better bra? Either way, when I don't have a camisole on underneath, I feel naked. I guess it's sort of a security blanket/barrier that helps me feel like I'm not jiggling all over the place.

However, I have been branching out and trying not to wear a camisole every single time I get dressed in the morning and with certain shirts, it is definitely doable. I think it has to do with the types of shirts I've been wearing and going forward I need to be more conscious that things are comfortable without a camisole.

Do any of you have a weird fashion habit like me or am I just a big weirdo? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo
B

My skin has been giving me a rough time this summer. My arms and legs are incredibly itchy, splotchy, and scabby. I don't know what happened but the moment the weather turned more hot than warm, my skin exploded.

I've spent the better part of the summer scratching my skin until it bleeds and I swear, I have scars from them. My legs are filled with dark, uneven marks that I simply cannot get rid of but I'll save that for another blog post.

While I knew my skin was dry, I knew the solution to my itchy skin was exfoliating. I needed to scrub off all the dead skin off my body but also keep up with it every week so my skin didn't get a gross build upon it.

Thus began my search for the perfect body scrub. I had previously tried the Herbivore Coconut Rose Body Polish and went through the entire jar within a few weeks. That is how I knew my body needed a good scrub but truthfully, I didn't want to pay the expensive price tag for a scrub that wasn't going to last too long. I needed more bang for my buck.

On my hunt, I tried a few different scrubs but of course, First Aid Beauty came through. FAB is a brand that caters especially to sensitive skin but obviously, anyone and everyone can use them. Whenever I've had a skincare problem, First Aid Beauty had a solution. It just so happened that they were releasing a new body scrub at the moment I desperately needed one.

The KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA was released in June; I bought it pretty much immediately and have been using it ever since.



The scrub is specifically for people who have Keratosis Pilaris which is a skin condition that is sometimes called 'chicken skin' because of the scaly texture. You can read more about it here but this scrub is supposed to take that feeling away.

Bump Eraser has 10% AHA which helps loosen your skin, unclog your pores, and brighten the skin. It also has pumice beads to really exfoliate and get rid of the dead skin, while the Bisabolol will soothe the skin. The scrub has the clean stamp at Sephora so you can use this and know it's good for you.

Gross picture of the scabs on my arm from scratching/dry skin

It has a very gritty texture which feels so nice on your skin because you can really rub it in to remove all the dead skin. It leaves your skin super soft and supple, ready to take on the day.

I use this about 1-2 times a week depending on how my skin feels. There was a moment this summer where I had a nice tan and didn't want to exfoliate it off so I didn't use the scrub. My skin reacted very strong and very loud, making it known that I need to use this every week to keep the itch and splotches at bay. When I didn't use this, my skin was on fire but as long as I keep this in my routine, my skin eats it up.

I've never used a product like this; one that my body responds so well to and has completely changed my life. I cannot imagine my shower routine without this scrub because it has saved my skin and brought it back from a bad place.

First Aid Beauty has done it again and I can't thank them enough!

If you're having skin problems or just need a really good body exfoliator, I cannot recommend the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub more.

xoxo
B
Oh, Friday this week is so sweet! It was a wild week filled with so many different events and emotions so I am happy to say hello to the weekend! I got super exciting news today that really just made my entire week/month/year/life and I will share that soon but I can say that I won't be home 24/7 anymore ;)

I'm currently in bed, typing this, doing some freelance work, browsing the Nordstrom beauty section and watching Youtube on my television. My house recently switched to Verizon Fios for cable and there are now channels for Youtube and Netflix so since I don't have a smart TV in my room, I can watch these channels from the comfort of my bed. It has been a total game changer and I'm obsessed. I watch so much Youtube, like my favorite beauty vloggers but also watched Sleeping Beauty a few weeks ago since you can find the entire movie on Youtube.

Having Netflix on my TV has allowed me to binge Mind Hunter Season 1 to prep for Season 2 which was released today, and I restarted Gossip Girl since I just needed some Blair Waldorf in my life.

Fun fact, every August while I was in college my roommates and I would rewatch Gossip Girl from the beginning to prep for the new season. It was a ritual and honestly so fun. I think that's why I got the itch to rewatch!

Since this is another weekly wrap up, I will mention that we are one week closer to the unofficial start of Fall...

On that note, let's get into the week's loves!



Links I Loved



What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week




I also bought a ring from J.Crew, a Kylie Cosmetics lip liner in 'You're a Gem', the Koko Kollection 'The Bigger the Hoops" liquid lipstick, and the Air Dry Mist from Cuvee Beauty

PS: The Sephora VIB sale starts on Monday for Rouge! I rounded up some recommendations as well as what I'm going to be picking up! 

xoxo
B


Since my junior year of college, I have become obsessed with all things career. I loved reading career books and articles and just trying to better myself and be prepared for the real world. I was always really curious about learning about other women's career paths and how they became successful. It's a topic that I have always really loved so it shouldn't be a surprise that I've moved on from career books (I've read so many!) to career podcasts.

I've been listening to podcasts for a while (thanks Barstool Sports!) and when I saw so many publications or businesswomen releasing their own pods, I immediately subscribed.

In my time, I've listened to a bunch of podcasts, hundreds of episodes, and have changed my favorites multiple times. However, the podcasts I'm going to talk about today have remained my favorite for years. All of them are centered around interviews with successful women, whether they are entrepreneurs, fashion designers, political advisors, authors, and so many more professions. Another thing they all have in common? They are super inspiring.

If you're looking for a new podcast, love hearing about successful women and learning how to better your own career, or just need an uplifting story about success, you will love these podcasts.


Second Life by Hillary Kerr

Hillary Kerr is the co-founder of the website Who What Wear and has an incredibly soothing voice, perfect for a podcast. The focus of "Second Life" is to interview women who have had a 'second life' meaning they found success in a career path that they didn't intend to take. You hear their stories from the beginning, learn about their mistakes, and can hear what's next for them. 

Favorite Episodes: 

  • 38. Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, founder of Chillhouse
  • 39. Christina Tosi, founder and CEO of Milkbar
  • 48. Kendra Scott
  • 62. Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June
  • 68. Katherine Power who is Hillary's co-founder and the founder of the new beauty brand, Versed.

Superwoman by Rebecca Minkoff

I nearly screamed when Rebecca Minkoff announced that she was going to release a podcast. She is one of the women who I admire most in fashion because she really built the brand from the ground up, is excellent at social media, has beautiful designs, and a true passion for women. I love listening to her speak and she is a really great interviewer. 

Favorite Episodes:

  • Michelle Lee: Modern Media Game Changer
  • Create a Life That Inspires You with Hillary Kerr
  • Jen Gotch Gets Real
  • Living a Glamorous Life

Skimmed from the Couch by the Skimm

Just as I did with Rebecca Minkoff, I nearly fell over when I heard theSkimm was releasing a podcast. I have been reading theSkimm since college and once I realized who the ladies behind the brand were, I became a little obsessed with them. Carly and Danielle are incredibly smart, spunky, and hilarious, yet so informed. They ask difficult questions and really get into the nitty-gritty of people's careers. *Unlike the other podcasts, Skimmed will interview men from time to time which is a nice change of pace! 

Favorite Episodes:

  • Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder & CEO of Bumble
  • Sara Blakley, Founder and CEO of Spanx
  • Erika Nardini, CEO of Barstool Sports 
  • Christie Hefner Former CEO and Chairman of Playboy 
  • Mindy Grossman, President and CEO of Weight Watchers

Work Party by Create and Cultivate

To go along with her book release last summer, Jaclyn Johnson who is the founder of 'Create and Cultivate', released her podcast "Work Party" where she tackles business issues and also interviews successful women. Some of the podcasts are even inside conversations from live Create and Cultivate events which is so cool because you can experience a panel without even being at the event! 

Favorite Episodes:

  • Congrats on Your Failure with Sarah Blakely
  • From Blog to Brand with Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores
  • 13 Going on 20: Growing and Scaling a Business with Tone It Up

Girlboss Radio

This was the first career podcast I listened too and it remains one of my favorites. Girlboss Radio is part of Sophia Amourou's 'Girlboss' brand and that is definitely why I started to listen. Over the years, there have been a ton of changes to the podcast but the core message stays the same: helping women by inspiring women.

Favorite Episodes: *There are honestly so many and this is the oldest podcast which is why there are so many listed!! 

  • Christine Barberich: Global EIC and Co-Founder of Refinery29
  • Emily Weiss, Founder & CEO of Glossier
  • Melissa Ben-Ishay, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Baked By Melissa 
  • Brit Morin, Founder & CEO of Brit & Co
  • Poppy Jamie, Cofounder of Pop & Suki
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Amber Venz Box, Co-Founder at rewardStyle 

What career podcasts do you listen to?
xoxo
B
Last year I was so excited to read "Playing With Matches", the debut novel from Elite Daily editor, Hannah Orenstein. It met every single one of my expectations and was basically a delicious, modern romantic comedy.

You could expect my delight when I saw that Hannah was releasing a second book, "Love At First Like" and the premise was centered around social media and fake engagement, I was thrilled. Once we saw a real-life social media engagement play out, I was even more excited for the book. Luckily, I was able to score it on NetGalley and read it before it was released last week.

I have to say, I liked "Love AT First Like" even more than "Playing With Matches" -- clearly, I can't wait for Hannah's third book next summer!

love at first like book review


Publisher's Summary:

Eliza Roth and her sister Sophie co-own a jewelry shop in Brooklyn. One night, after learning of an ex’s engagement, Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her Instagram account beloved by 100,000 followers. Sales skyrocket, press rolls in, and Eliza learns that her personal life is good for business. So she has a choice: continue the ruse or clear up the misunderstanding. With mounting financial pressure, Eliza sets off to find a fake fiancé.

Fellow entrepreneur Blake seems like the perfect match on paper. And in real life, he shows promise, too. He would be perfect if only Eliza didn’t feel also drawn to someone else. But Blake doesn’t know Eliza is “engaged”; Sophie asks Eliza for an impossible sum of money, and Eliza’s lies start to spiral out of control. She can either stay engaged online or fall in love in real life.



My Thoughts


Lately, I have been completely fascinated by the jewelry world. I follow a bunch of jewelers on Instagram and dream about owning fancy, expensive jewelry -- or even just being in the jewelry world in some aspect, professionally.

Eliza and her store "Brooklyn Jewels" made me long for that world even more! You would think Hannah was a jeweler herself the way she described Eliza's life, career, and the jewelry she sold. It was so descriptive and specific, you felt really emerged into that world.

The real turning point in the novel comes when Eliza accidentally posts herself wearing an engagement ring on her Instagram, and business starts booming. The charade that Eliza has to keep up is anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking, and insane. You start to wonder how this would ever play out in real life and how you yourself would react if something like this happened... or maybe it's just me who felt like that.

Throughout the book, I started to come up with predictions of how this would play out but quite frankly, what I expected to happen did not happen, and I was pretty ok with that. I liked not knowing how everything was going to turn out for Eliza and Blake -- it kept things interesting and kept me interested in the story.

I won't give too much away but you're kept guessing and hoping until the very end for Eliza to get what she wants and deserves... it's such a sweet, interesting story with the backdrop of career, love, and social media.

Hannah's writing completely jumps off the page and you could tell how much she has grown from her first novel. Each character is developed, the plot is near perfect, and truly interesting. It might be because I'm from New York, in tune with social media, and love romantic comedies but I couldn't get enough of the book and never wanted it to end. For some reason, I also got emotional during it and I'm not sure why.

If you need an easy read that is interesting, modern, and well put together you will totally love "Love At First Like." I feel as if it's a story all young people could relate to in some way or another.

xoxo
B
I've always read articles about how powerful a red lipstick was or how women have a particular outfit that makes them feel comfortable. Both items hold the idea that something you wear can give you confidence and make you present the best version of yourself. 

I never felt this way about anything in my fashion or beauty wardrobe until one lipstick fell into my lap. Charlotte Tilbury's "Bitch Perfect" was a color I was always intrigued by but more importantly, the name caught my eye.

Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect

Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect swatch


A weird fact about me is that I love the word "bitch". It's probably one of my favorite words ever. It can definitely have a bad connotation but I truly love to use it in a positive, empowering way. Bitch is just another word for powerful or standing up for yourself. Bitch isn't bad... which is why I love the lipstick name "Bitch Perfect."

My Power Lip

Bitch Perfect is one of Charlotte Tilbury's more popular shades and it was definitely the most talked-about before Pillowtalk came along. It's also the first shade I ever purchased and that's why it's my power lipstick.

This lippie is a peach toned nude that has a traditional satin cream finish. The lipstick applies like a dream and leaves the most beautiful peachy pink color behind. Before trying this lipstick, I don't know if I've ever felt this way about a lipstick.

It matches every beauty look, can be a casual or more dressed up lip, and looks good on a variety of skin tones. After a few wears, this quickly became my favorite lipstick and it became the lipstick I wore when I wanted to feel good about myself.

I almost started to think of it as a lucky lipstick. I wore it to every big day at work, every interview I went on, and whenever I just needed to feel good about myself. It made me happy, feel confident, and I always felt better whenever I applied it. I think it's a combination of the name but also how perfect it looks on me! It's not too pink, not too peach or too nude -- it's utterly perfect.

Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect and Pillowtalk
Bitch Perfect and Pillowtalk

Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect and Pillowtalk
Bitch Perfect (L)
Pillowtalk (R)

Bitch Perfect is still my power lipstick to this day but I definitely switch it up with Charlotte Tilbury's "Pillowtalk" because that is the most universally flattering shade, although it does tend to lean a little more brown nude than pink so sometimes I reserve it strictly for the cooler months. However, despite everything, Charlotte Tilbury produces my favorite lipsticks, my power lipsticks and I can't wait to continue to find new shades that make me feel powerful and confident!

Do you have a power lipstick shade?
xoxo
B
Happy Friday! I am excited for the weekend after what seemed like a relatively short, uneventful week. I've been really unproductive the past few weeks because I was getting out of a funk and now I'm trying to get myself back on track. Everything has been lacking from blog content, I was behind on my emails and just not motivated. This week I felt a little better so I think next week will be even better.

Also, looking for a full-time job is a full-time job in itself and that is where I am putting all of my focus right now which is why things have been semi-quiet around here.

I've also been reading up a storm!! I've finished like four books in the past two weeks and it's pretty insane. I haven't read this much since the summer going into my junior year of high school when I discovered Twilight (LOL). I purchased a Kindle because I get all of my Netgalley books through Kindle (I've been reading on the app on my iPad) so I figured it was time. I am going to do a full post on it and compare it to my Barnes and Noble Nook soon so keep an eye out!

However, this week was also really hard because of everything happening in the news and in our country. I am beyond exhausted and sad and frustrated. It is scary and I want it all to stop.

Summer is winding down and I got my first glimpse of fall this week when I spotted Pumpkin Spice Cheerios in my grocery store; I don't recommend them because they taste gross. There are rumors that Starbucks is releasing their pumpkin spice lattes on August 28th so you know that I'll be first in line.

My mind is a jumble of thoughts so I'm just going end it here!



Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink




Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B
Back in the day, I loved a good drugstore beauty product. Maybelline was my favorite brand and I loved the accessibility and affordability of all the brands. Over the years though, my love of higher-end brands took over and I couldn't be bothered with anything at the drugstore.

I found that nothing was innovative or exciting and a lot of the brands had price increases; why buy a $20 foundation when I could buy a $30 one at Sephora? I just didn't see the appeal anymore. Also, I hate shopping inside the drugstore, at least in my neighborhood. I find that the displays are confusing, you can never be too sure if something has been opened/swatched, and sometimes my drugstore didn't have the most up to date collections. There's always Ulta but I'm not big on Ulta, to be honest.

However, my feelings toward all of that have started to change as I've seen the drugstore vastly improve and release a few exciting things over the past few months.

I've been experimenting with more unique drugstore brands that aren't always readily available -- they take a little more work to locate and I'm fine with that.

As of right now, these are my current favorite finds from the drugstore!

Favorite drugstore beauty products, Pacifica Foundation, Thayers toner and makeup revolution concealer


Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer

I was definitely a little late with this purchase but better late than never. I was in the market for a new concealer and had been meaning to try this as it's been compared to Tarte Shape Tape. I picked it up a month or so ago and have been using it very consistently. It's definitely full coverage, not drying, and has a very large doe-foot applicator. It sits beautifully under the eye and I've really been loving it. They just released a hydrating version so I will definitely be picking that up as well. The best part? It's $7. I'm also very curious about their Conceal and Define Foundation.

Thayers Rosewater Toner

I have never consistently used a toner in my skincare routine and I knew it was essential for me if I wanted to start building a true skincare routine. After watching one of my favorite Youtubers, Allie Sevdalis and seeing that she swears by the Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Toner, I immediately went out and purchased it. I've been using it for a few months and I do see that I've had fewer breakouts, less texture and my skin is smoother. I really like Thayers as a brand and its old school feels so I will definitely be trying one of their facial mists

Pacifica Alight Clean Foundation

I needed a new foundation for the summer and my semi tanned skin so when I saw a few bloggers talking about this Pacifica foundation, I immediately purchased it from Ulta. It has coconut water for balancing the skin, Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the skin and Rose Leaf Extract for antioxidant properties. Pacifica claims that this is a foundation that will make your skin look better after wearing it which is very interesting. The packaging is gorgeous, in a slim, beautiful glass bottle and has a really nice, nourishing formula. It covers pores and blends seamlessly into the skin without settling into fine lines. I have been reaching it for constantly and will probably purchase a lighter shade for my collection.

Makeup Revolution The Wants Palette

Makeup Revolution x Emily Noel "The Wants" Palette

Makeup Revolution x Emily Noel "The Wants" Palette



To go along with my Makeup Revolution concealer, I also bought the Emily Noel collaboration, 'The Wants' palette. I have been watching Emily for years now and I love her to bits so I was so excited to get my hands on the eyeshadow palette. It's very large and I don't think I was expecting it to be as big as it is but I make due. The shades are beautiful, very unique in color and I feel like it's a palette that fits a hole in my collection. I am definitely a neutral kind of gal and this palette has a lot of colors so it's definitely nice to have it as an option. They aren't the best eyeshadows I've ever had but it's an affordable, large palette with a lot of variety and it gets the job done. The shadows do blend really well and aren't patchy at all, they're just not the smoothest but that is perfectly fine with me! I really love this palette and I try to work it into every look I create. 

Bliss What a Melon Overnight Mask

Bliss What a Melon De-stressing Overnight Mask

Bliss What a Melon De-stressing Overnight Mask


I've developed a weird obsession with the Bliss brand. I think they do an incredible job on social media, and they have pretty cool and innovative products. I spotted this overnight mask on their Instagram and then saw it in my CVS -- who knew CVS carried Bliss? I immediately picked it up and have been loving it. I love the idea of using watermelon in skincare and it's definitely a trend a lot of brands are realizing. The mask is supposed to revive and destress skin so I like to use it when I've been wearing a lot of makeup or if my skin just feels particularly finicky. It says to wash it off in the morning and after I do, my skin feels so refreshed and smoothe. It has the strangest, most interesting texture of a gel-cream and it feels so cooling on the skin. I cannot wait to try more Bliss products in the future! 


What are your current favorite drugstore products?
xoxo
B


I haven't enjoyed wearing lipgloss since I was around 12 years old because every formula out there was goopy, sticky, and super tacky. It got stuck in my hair and would make my lips feel really gross. I could never find a gloss that worked but that is probably because lipgloss wasn't really on-trend for a while.

That is, until a few years ago when lipgloss made a huge resurgence and beauty brands were starting to release some incredible formulas. 

While working for Laura Geller, I got to experience a few different lipgloss formulas and gently dipped my toe back into the trend. I really loved the Color Luster Hi-Def Top Coat glosses; they are sparkly, not sticky and add the perfect amount of shine.

The key to a perfect gloss for me is not something too opaque. I want it to feel like a gloss, not a goopy, shiny lipstick! Over the years I've tried my fair share of lipgloss formula but these have been my top three and I don't know if I'll ever find anything as incredible.

Best lipglosses, Kylie, Bite Beauty, Buxom


Kylie Cosmetics High Gloss

When I saw Kylie release High Glosses, I wasn't overly impressed. I did think the packaging was interesting and I like the big doe-foot applicator but I thought they were too sheer. Eventually, I was worn down and purchased the shade "Daddy's Girl". Oh boy... this is an amazing lipgloss. I love that it's sheer, has a little glitter to make your lips look juicy and very shiny, and has just enough tact that it lasts on the lips. I don't find this gloss sticky at all and it's very comfortable on the lips. Right now I only have the "Daddy's Girl" shade which is described as a baby pink with copper shimmer but I don't feel that it's overly pink, which is good in my opinion.  

Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss

I've talked on and on about these glosses before and over a year later, I still cannot get enough. I first saw these on Samantha Ravndahl's channel and as soon as she uttered the word 'coffee' I was sold. I love a good caffeine-infused beauty product but also love a good coffee-inspired! I have four of the Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss shades: Vanilla Latte, Salted Caramel, French Press, and Dirty Chai. They are insane and my go-to lipgloss in the Fall (I just feel like these are fall colors/products). They are by far my favorite gloss ever because they are opaque enough for you to really see the color but very shiny. These are also the most comfortable to wear -- I almost feel like it has more of a lip balm texture than traditional lipgloss. If you're going to pick up anything on this list, make it be a French Press gloss. 

Laura Geller Nude Kisses Lip Hugging Lipgloss

When we released the Nude Kisses Lip Hugging Lipglosses at Laura Geller last year, I fell in love. 16 shades of your perfect nude, ranging from light to dark? Sign me up! There were two different finishes: cream and sparkle but don't let the sparkle fool you, it was a nice sheen but nothing too over the top. These glided on your lips without a bit of tackiness. They're very creamy and make your lips look very full. Plus, with 16 shades you are bound to find at least three that work great for you and your look! 

Buxom Lip Full-On Plumping Lip Polish

This is probably the only lipgloss I used consistently for years before finding the other three. It was the only gloss I could stand because of its thin formula. It's also super shiny, applies like a cushiony dream and isn't overly sticky or tacky. Also, the plumping formula feels really nice and cool on the lips. I have the shade Dolly which is a neutral pink shade but I would love to get my hands on more -- there are just so many shades it's almost a little overwhelming. 

What are your favorite lip glosses? 
xoxo
B
Happy Friday! It was another wild week here in my life and sure to be another wild weekend. I have my best friend's casual engagement party tomorrow and my Godson's birthday on Sunday -- a weekend with family and friends is definitely the best way to spend it.

I am super excited that Mercury is out of retrograde and that August is finally here! I would say that August is my favorite month of the summer because it is basically the Sunday of summer aka Fall is around the corner. Bless us all!

While it was a hard week, emotionally and mentally, it's all for a positive reason. I have a lot of fires burning and I'm hoping one works out... I will surely keep you posted.

For now, here's the roundup!


Links to Love


What You Missed on Royally Pink

*I didn't buy anything this week -- go me! 

xoxo
B
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