Summer Fridays has been my go-to brand ever since it popped up on the scene years ago. Their Jet Lag Mask has always been one of my favorite beauty products and with each new item release, I fall more and more in love.

When they released their Lip Butter Balm back in 2020, it immediately became one of my favorite beauty products. Even in the aluminum tube with no lip applicator, I loved it. Then, when they repackaged it and released new flavors, I became even more obsessed. 

I'm clearly not the only one who loves the lip balm as it's gone viral on TikTok a number of times over and is an essential of almost every woman I know. Every new flavor that is released becomes a new favorite and an instant sell out so it's no wonder that Summer Fridays is releasing a companion product -- their Dream Lip Oil that will be released on Sephora's website this week. I won't be purchasing until my no buy is over but I simply cannot wait to try this new lip product that will surely be a fan favorite.

For now though, I want to discuss the original and explain why it's the best lip balm I've ever used. Yes, you heard that right... while I still love my Glossier Balm Dot Com, I think the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm has officially taken the number one spot. 

 I have too many lipsticks for someone who only wears a handful. My go-to brands for the past year have been Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath, specifically the Bridgeton Collection. It's rare that I reach for anything else in my collection, until now. 

The Too Faced Cocoa Bold Cream Lipsticks were listed as 'coming soon' on all retailers for weeks and when they finally were available, I ordered two shades. I had no idea how they were going to look, feel or apply but I had extremely high hopes. 

I was correct.

Before this order, I hadn't been experimenting much with Too Faced because I hadn't seen anything that caught my eye. I love the chocolate line so having these lipsticks be in that category, I was hopeful I'd love them.

I have always had a hard time blowing my hair. To be honest, I really hate it. I'm not good at it and it never comes out looking nice. It's a hassle, time-consuming, and just not worth it. Because of this, I have gotten countless keratin treatments, wear my hair naturally curly, or let it my hair air-dry and then straighten it from there. 

I felt pretty hopeless about blow dryers until I saw a trend start to rise: blow drying brushes. They are quite literally blow dryers with brushes attached to the head so that you can brush your hair out while blowing. That was always my issue: I could never brush while blowing and my hair ended up a big, puffy, and frizzy mess. A blow dryer brush basically solves that problem because it keeps air flowing in one direction and allows you to get into every nook and cranny of your locks. 

In the past few months, I have not purchased that much makeup. Nothing was catching my eye and I was pretty much set with everything I had. The new collections weren't as exciting to me as past ones so I was sitting a lot of new releases out.

That is until I saw NARS was expanding their Orgasm collection. Orgasm is one of the best selling blushes in the world and when I first got my hands on it many moons ago, I was drinking the Kool-Aid. It's a gorgeous color that seems like it would be common enough but it is so utterly perfect. It's a shimmery, peach, pink, coral color that flushes your cheeks with the perfect amount of glow. It's an obsession, a lifestyle...

So, when I saw that NARS was releasing a liquid version of their famous blush shade, as well as a lipstick, I jumped on that train immediately.

My obsession with cream products is making a full-force comeback this summer, just as it did last summer, so I needed to get my hands on this LIQUID (not cream) product.

I ordered both products from Sephora the moment they were available and I've fallen in love.

The blush comes in typical NARS packaging; frosted glass bottle and a matte black cap. There is a handy little pump but I kind of like unscrewing the top and dotting the blush straight from the little spatula.




First off, this baby blends like a dream. I suggest blending fast and not leaving to dry on your cheeks but when you do blend, it's very easy. I take a stippling brush and just swirl and dab lightly on the apples of my cheeks and backwards. It leaves the most perfect flush of color and a very light luminous finish.

There is no glitter or real shimmer to the liquid verison of Orgasm. The color is pretty much identical to the powder verison though.




I haven't tried it yet but I think layering the powder blush on top of the liquid would probbaly look amazing.

My favorite way to wear this blush is with a no makeup makeup look; just a perfect flush of color on your cheeks with some mascara and concealer, and you're set!

I talked about the blush in my latest Youtube video!



All in all, I think this is a must-have for everyone. If you're not into liquid/cream products, I do think you'd still like this because it's very easy to work with and doesn't leave a sticky or tacky feeling behind. If you're not into Orgasm, NARS has a few other colors you can try out! If you're hesistant, ask for a sample in Sephora -- or buy from a place like Sephora or Nordstrom because their return policies are GOLDEN!

This is for sure my favorite product for summer!

What's your beauty product for the summer?
xoxo
B

The love affair with Drybar is still going as strong as ever but it came to an all time high in mid November when I purchased the Drybar Tress Press Digital Styling Iron & the 3-Day Bender Curling Iron.

I have very thick, unruly, frizzy and coarse hair. My mom & sister have the same exact hair, so when you have three women with horrific hair, you go through hot tools like hot cakes.

The curling iron we had broke, and the straightener we had was on it's way out so I decided to splurge and buy both items.

I got the Tress Press iron at Ulta when I had a coupon and I purchased the 3-Day Bender Curling Iron from QVC and it was a little cheaper than it is usually, and it came with some mini Drybar products.

Both products are incredible, and definitely some of the best I've ever used. I really don't know how to use a curling iron so I was skeptical about buying this, but it's very, very easy to use. I don't know if I just learned how to use the iron or if this is super easy, but it's great! My hair always holds a curl so I don't know if this item is a testament to that, but it does get very hot & creates a great curl.



The Tress Press is one of the best irons I've ever used, right behind a classic Chi iron. It does leave my hair slightly static but it heats up to 450 degrees, which I think a lot of irons only go to 400. I use the Drybar Prep Rally heat protectant so I'm not that worried about putting the heat on my hair.

The degrees makes all the difference because my hair has never been so quick to straighten.

Both of these items get an A+ from me so if you're in the market for a new iron or curling iron, definitely check these out! I do recommend buying from Nordstrom or Sephora because they have the most lenient return policies if the tools aren't to your liking!

xoxo
B

These products were sent to me but all opinions are my own

I've seen the brand MAKE Beauty around but I've never picked anything up. There was no particular reason for it, I just never got around to buying it.

They have everything from makeup, skincare, tools, and gift sets-- the best of all worlds, really. They are paraben free, cruelty free, and a percentage of their sales is donated to the We See Beauty Foundation.

I really can appreciate companies that donate to charities-- I am much more inclined to buy from a retailer/company if I see that.

I also really like the message of MAKE; they create unique products that you may not see everywhere else, and they are dedicated to developing products that give their consumers the tools we need to create our own look. I really love when brands have unique products that not everyone else is producing, something that gives the products a bit of edge is something I'm really attracted too.

And I think MAKE does that perfectly.

I was lucky enough to get two samples of their products and I have to say, the quality is impressive. The size of the samples on the other hand were not impressive. I was expecting something a little larger but these are just basically unusable. I have tried the lipstick in Taffy and Eyeshadow in Alabaster, and they are beautiful and good quality.





To get a better sense of what this brand had to offer, I dove into their website and found so many wonderful things.

As I was looking through their website, I found SO MANY more items I want/need to try. Please, just give me all the makeup!

Contour Highlight Strobe Giftset

Sea Salt Exfoilator

Twilight Lip Oil Remover

MAKE is being super kind to us and has given me a 20% off discount on their website! Just use the code MAKEYOURSELF for 20% off your order, and it's good until May 30th! Happy shopping :)

These products were sent to me but all opinions are my own

It's been years since I realized I had psoriasis on my scalp. I can't even remember a time where my scalp didn't itch or burn. It's been something I've struggled with since I was little and nothing ever quite does the trick.

I've tried lots of shampoos, conditioners, creams, and treatments, but some either don't work, or they make my hair so greasy, it's not even worth it. I've tried prescriptions, high end, drugstore but nothing quite ever works.

When I saw that DermaE, one of my latest favorite skincare brands (and also available in the drugstore) had a psoriasis and eczema line, I jumped at the chance to review it for all of you.

I've talked before about my skin issues, but this just hit so close to home. My psoriasis is MAINLY on my scalp, and it's been getting worse and worse as of late, so why not try something new?




Well, I was certainly surprised when I opened this little package from DermaE and they included lots of goodies from this specific line.

I received the Scalp Relief Shampoo & Conditioner, as well as the Psorzema Creme and body wash. I was super excited to see the other items too because like I said, while my psoriasis is mainly on my scalp, my skin acts up from time to time. These items won't go to waste.



DermaE describes these products as the best natural alternative to prescriptions, because as we know, a lot of people may not be able to afford prescriptions for something like this, or may not have access to it--or just don't like the idea of prescriptions (there are tons of different people out there!)

Both the shampoo & conditioner work to detangle, deflake, soothe, and nourish the scalp & hair. They contain Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree, and Menthol and are also sulfate free (perfect for keratin treated hair), tar free and steroid free. I mean, who doesn't want all those things in a haircare line?

I've used both of these products a few times and I can attest to saying they have helped. My scalp feels slightly less irritated, and my hair is definitely easier to maintain. I know that as I continue to use it, the benefits will start to reap bigger rewards.

My skin hasn't been too bad lately, even though it does act up from time to time, so I haven't used the creme and body wash as much as the shampoo & conditioner, but I have used them.

The unique thing about the body wash? It can be used as a face wash which would definitely come in handy if you have severe psoriasis or eczema on your face. The body wash looks like the shampoo, clear and very gel like. It feels soothing on the skin, which is always a plus. Like I said, my skin isn't acting up at the moment so I can't say whether it helps with the psoriasis but I'm guessing it would because of how soothing it is.

The creme is very, very thick. This would be IDEAL in the wintertime, maybe even now that Spring is nonexistent in NYC at the moment. But anyways... this creme is super thick, and hydrating and soothing. I'm very, very impressed. I've tried a lot of eczema cremes and this is by far the best one.

If you suffer from psoriasis and/or eczema, I highly consider trying this line. You will definitely find something that works for you.

DermaE is always available at DermaE.com, your local Health Food store, Whole Foods, and The Vitamin Shoppe.

Some of the products were sent to me, but all opinions are my own

I am constantly trying new products and switching up my routines, but when it comes to skincare, once I find a few products I love, I alternate between them. Skincare is something I've taken more seriously in the past few months because without good skin, any makeup you put on top isn't going to look good.

I have very dry and sensitive skin and I always try to find products that are super hydrating and fragrance free. My dry skin can turn into psoriasis or eczema but that's mostly in the winter so thankfully, that's over! Other than that, I don't have any other skin problems.

Like I said before, I don't change my routine too much. Once I find something I like, I use it pretty much every day. I've also really been trying to get through all my skincare items that I currently have before buying more. A LOT of skincare products I have are deluxe sample sizes, which I think is perfect because who wants to spend $40 on a moisturizer you've never tried before?

These products are holy grail status in my collection. I've talked frequently about how First Aid Beauty is one of my favorite skincare brands, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I use them every night.



Another skincare brand I've been attracted to is Valentina. I talked about their True Glow Eye Serum a few weeks ago, and I just recently received another product for them--something I've been needing to add into my collection: a serum!

Serum is one of those skincare products I never thought I needed and one of those items that I just didn't know where to start.



When Valentina reached out again to try their Royal Rose Hydrating Serum, I jumped at the chance because umm.. serum + hydrating + rose= my type of serum!

So... for nighttime, I do a more intense skincare routine than the morning. Sometimes in the morning I don't even put moisturizer on because I'm so lazy and tired.

I start off by cleansing my face with the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (1, 2, 3 are other cleansers I use), and then I will apply the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum.

I love how light weight this-- it immediately melts into the skin and doesn't feel oily or greasy. If you don't want to apply too many products to your face, you really could get away with just using the serum because it's so moisturizing.

The serum contains a bunch of hydrating ingredients like Rosehip Seed Oil, Rose Damascena, Evening Primrose Oil, and Lavender.

After the serum, I go in with my First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra Firming Sleeping Cream (here is another moisturizer I use), and then finish it off with the Valentina True Glow Eye Serum (or this eye cream).

I'm obsessed with all of these products and they just keep my skin really clean and hydrated. I definitely follow up with things like masks and eye treatments but this is just my simple, every night routine to keep my skin in check.

What are your every night skincare products?

Ever since I saw that spray can nail polish was a thing in Europe, I'd been patiently waiting for it to arrive in the states.

Well, last week I saw that it has finally arrived at Sephora.com, courtesy of Nails Inc. Breaking my 'no buy' was too easy when I saw that these were in stock, at $12 a piece.

I jumped on the bandwagon and patiently awaited my package.



It arrived on Saturday and my mom was the first brave one to try. She applied a top coat, let it dry, and then I sprayed on the polish. It came out kind of intense, and fast, and it looked a little streaky. We let that dry, and then she applied a top coat.

After everything dried (which took less than 5 minutes) my mom washed her hands with soap and water to get the excess nail polish off her nails & cuticles. On her, the nail polish looked pretty good but she didn't like it. I thought that maybe it was just her because she doesn't like matte (the color looked matte, even though it's not advertised as so), and the pink color was...off.

I couldn't wait to try it myself so even though I was going out in a few hours, I took the plunge.

I laid out a towel, applied the base coat and sprayed my nails.

Right after I applied

Oh I didn't like it. It was a weird sensation. The spray was way too cold, it made my fingers feel numb, and it was a nightmare to get off.

One pro of the polish was that it wasn't that difficult to get an even application. You would think spraying it out of a can would make it harder to get a good application.

Ultimately, even with that one pro, I didn't like the polish. I didn't like the feeling of the application, it was really hard to get off my nails and cuticles, even after scrubbing with soap and water, and I didn't like the way the nail polish felt on my nails. My hands felt super dry after applying it too.

The color was weird, and it was semi matte like my mom's was, and I just wasn't a fan. I hated it so much I removed it before going out and went out to Manhattan on a Saturday night with BARE NAILS!

After washing my hands

In theory, spray can nail polish may be good for someone who isn't good at doing their nails, or doesn't have time to paint their own or to go get a manicure, but I really didn't like it.  It really is a unique concept and I kind of want you all to go buy a can, try it, then return it (which I will be doing) just to see what I'm talking about.

Hey, I'm not gonna like everything I try and I don't like giving "negative" reviews but I thought this was such a unique idea it deserved a post!

Are you curious about spray can nail polish?

There has been so much going on in beauty the past few weeks and today is sure to be one of the best!

Too Faced is officially releasing their Peanut Butter & Jelly Eyeshadow Palette and their new La Matte Color Drenched Lipsticks, all exclusively at Ulta.

I say "officially" releasing their PB&J palette because last week, for a few hours, it was available to Platinum members only... but not really because if you had the link and accessed it from your mobile browser, you were able to purchase it even if you weren't Platinum.

I was one of those lucky people and my goodness, this palette is everything to me. I don't remember the last time I was this excited about a new release.

Some of the eyeshadows swatched a little difficulty--they weren't that smooth and pigmented, like the Jelly shade, but once applied to a primed eyelid, they are just as buttery and beautiful as every other shadow that Too Faced creates.

The three shades that give me life? Peanut Butter, Nuts About You, and Peanut Brittle. I just want them tattooed to my eyelids.

Eye cream is something that you may not know you need but it's the #1 product you should be using in your skincare. This is a great article from Self Magazine summing up why you need eye cream and I agree with every word.

Eye cream has been in my routine for a few years now and I've tried many of them. I suffer with delicate under eyes and super dark circles so if I don't apply my eye cream, I can tell. I feel like my under eyes are dying of thirst and my dark circles look more prominent. I never leave my house without it.

I've tried some great ones and tried some not so great ones. I definitely have my favorites and they're mostly high end. The best eye creams are ones that I have found in Sephora-- drugstore eye creams just don't do it for me. If anyone has any good drugstore eye cream recommendations, let a sista know!

Most of the eye creams I've tried are to brighten and moisturize, so if you have dry skin and suffer from dark circles, these are going to be some eye creams you want to try.

• Tarte Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment: This is my #1 bae. I got a sample of it last year and couldn't wait to buy a full size. I notice a huge difference in when I use this and when I don't. It leaves my under eyes smooth and moisturized but the best benefit of using this eye cream? I notice my eyes look brighter and less dark right after I use it. It's also been a gradual process of lightening up my under eye area. The C Brighter is a lifesaver. I'm almost done with my first full size and I will be repurchasing it after I finish this up. 

• Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Eye Concentrate: I first received this as a deluxe sample from Sephora and I'm still making my way through it, but I'm obsessed. Fresh has amazing skincare and I was dying to try out their eye creams. This has a thicker consistency than the Tarte cream but it's even a little more moisturizing. It claims to visibly firm and prevent the signs of aging under the eyes, and it also has a hefty price tag. I probably won't buy the full size because it's too expensive for me, but if I could, I would. It feels cooling on the under eye area and it feels wonderful.

• Murad Renewing Eye Cream: If I never discovered the Tarte eye cream, this would be my favorite. I bought it last year on Murad's website after discovering I was allergic to fragrance and needed something stronger to soothe my under eyes. This also has a nice, hefty price tag but I got it 20% off, cash back on Ebates, and free shipping so I made it work. It also lasted me FOREVER! I just finished it a few months ago after buying it in April. It made my eyes feel soft, hydrated, and smooth. I noticed a huge difference the day after applying this and it was well worth the price tag.

• Benefit It's Potent: I had a mini sample of this a few years ago and it was the first eye cream I ever used. I always meant to go back to it but I love trying new things so I rarely repurchase but I received a sample size a few months ago and ugh, I forgot how much I loved it. This leaves me with a similar feel that the Tarte C Brighter does. Initially it feels thicker than most eye creams but once you blend it out, it becomes incredibly light weight and feels super weightless on the skin. The price tag feels right on this one and I will be repurchasing, most likely after I finish the Tarte one. 

I have not been shy about my obsession with beauty products... it seems that with each passing day, each new product & each new Youtube video, the addiction gets worse. I can't explain why I love beauty so much ... it's just so much fun to apply make-up and play up a different look each day. You can completely transform your look with one swipe of lipstick.

I've have, though, gotten a lot better about not buying makeup items that I don't need because the amount of product was starting to overwhelm me, but my skincare collection has grew since that. Skincare is just a lot easier to go through, and to me, it's worth investing in some great product.

As a resident beauty junkie, receiving surprise packages in the mail filled with makeup & skincare items is pretty much like Christmas day.

It's rare that I don't know a package is coming but over the past two months, it's happened a few times ... two of them being what this entire post is about.

I've heard of Borghese before, because it's a semi well known brand that is carried in Bloomingdales. I rarely buy make-up that isn't found in Sephora or the drugstore, because I'm lazy, cheap, and the rewards program at Sephora is just too good to shop anywhere else.

To my surprise, I was contacted by a PR firm asking if I wanted to be sent some Borghese product for consideration -- I happily agreed & then totally forgot about it. Until a package showed up on my doorstep a few weeks later.

The package was amazing, filled with so many items and my goodness, it made my day! I'll get into what was in the first package, but two weeks ago, another package showed up on my doorstep from Borghese and it was filled with face masks. I had no idea this one was coming so this was a real surprise. I was squealing with delight.

(Side note: My mom & sister love when I get packages like this because it means more makeup & skincare for them to try as well)

I've been playing around with the makeup and masks for the past few weeks, and I have to say, they're pretty amazing. I thought Borghese was a lot more expensive, but it's not completely un-affordable.




Now, I haven't tried EVERYTHING that I was sent, but I have played around with everything and I'm excited to share it with you!

First up, the makeup:

//Superior State of the Art Mascara: I have so many mascaras open so this one hasn't bee used yet. I don't even think I opened it because I didn't want it to try out, so stay tuned for thoughts on this! It retails for $19.50 which isn't that bad since Too Faced & Benefit mascaras cost a little over $20.



//Color Eclipse Eclissare 5-Shade Eyeshadow Palette: I haven't tried this palette out either, because I have so many eyeshadow palettes and I don't use them as often as I'd like because I'm lazy and get into no eyeshadow funks. Also, these colors are more suitable for fall--dark grey & greens. The quality seems to be superb and I can't wait to dig my brushes into them once sweater weather arrives! The price is also right at $29 -- not that expensive, but a little pricey for only 5 eyeshadows.

//Kabuki Brush: I love this brush but I'm pretty sure my sister stole it from me. It is super soft, and great for bronzer or powder. I stopped using my ELF Kabuki Brush altogether once I got this, but now I can't seem to find it. It retails for $25 which is about the right price for a high end brush.

//Eclissare Color Glass Lip Gloss in Gilt: I have hardly used this product because it is pure glitter. This definitely isn't something I'd buy, or wear everyday and it has really just been sitting in my drawer for the past two months. It's wearable, for a night out, but not my taste. Retails for $21.50

Lipstick on top; lipgloss on bottom -- doesn't look as bad as I described

//Color Struck Lipstick in Swoon: I don't think I've ever seen a lipstick with chunky glitter in it, but this one definitely has that. It's very similar to the lip gloss in that sense, and also in the sense that I haven't worn it at all. Maybe I'll give it away?




//Summer Glow Tinted Moisturizer: I'm obsessed with BB Creams & tinted moisturizers so this was probably the best thing to happen to me. It seems to come in one color (not sure what color that is), and has a pump (which is a blessing in the beauty world). It gives the face a luminous finish, without being too overpowering, and truly gives a gorgeous finish. I wear this on days where I don't want too much coverage, or a heavy feeling foundation, Whenever I apply it, I am shocked by how natural & nice my skin looks. This retails for $29.50, a nice price for a high end tinted moisturizer.



//Eclissare Blush in Flight: This blush is BIG... one of the biggest blushes I have in my collection. It's also a very unique color. It is sparkly, definitely not a matte finish, and it's a deep brownish plum -- gorgeous for the Fall. (PLEASE I JUST NEED FALL!) That hasn't stopped me from wearing it, though. It gives a very natural, glowy finish to the cheeks and I love it!

That is all the makeup I received, and honestly I'm pretty happy with it. I don't think I would've ever bought any of these on my own, just because I haven't heard too much about Borghese around the internet so I'm glad I was able to try this brand out. I would definitely purchase more items from them.

Now onto the skincare (aka ALL FACE MASKS) I received. I'm obsessed & addicted to face masks (post on that coming soon).



These are all mud masks, and I've only tried one (the Active Mud For Delicate Dry Skin) and it was incredible. I'm excited to try the black, purfying one and I may do that tonight.

The masks I received were all from the Fango line: two tubes of Mineral Active Mud for Face & Body, Purifying Mud Mask for Face & Body  and the one I already used -- which costs over $70!

I'll keep you all updated on the masks, and will mention if any of them turn out to be favorites in my favorite face mask post.

I'm very grateful that I could try all these amazing products out, and will always give my honest opinion!

Has anyone tried Borghese? What is one beauty brand you've been curious to try and haven't yet? Tell me in the comments!