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 so many beauty products that I use daily, and I realize I have never even uttered one word about it on the blog or on social media. I am changing that right now by vowing to do more beauty in review posts, even if they are short because I realize I tend to get long-winded about many things.

Over the past year or so I've started to receive a lot more beauty PR and I am so grateful for that because it allows me to try things I never would've picked up on my own.

One of those items that have come across my desk recently is the Ilia Lip Wrap Reviving Balm. I am a sucker for a good lip balm and I am always looking for a new one to try. I have never tried anything from Ilia before, despite knowing that it's supposed to be an amazing brand according to every review I've ever seen. 

The Lip Wrap being my introduction to the brand made a good first impression; I've been using it for months and it is without a doubt, one of the best balms that have ever graced my lips. 

I have written a few of these Current Obsessions posts in the past but they were always focused on one category... however, over the past few months, I find myself really being drawn to a random assortment of things that just bring me a lot of joy. 

These are items that I can't stop using and can't stop talking about; they are all great in their own way and truly cannot get enough of them! 

Let's get into it... 

Glossier Cookie Butter Balm Dot Com

Balm Dot Com is my favorite lip balm of all time and when the band announced that they were launching a Cookie Butter scent for the holidays, I rushed to the website. I was so excited because I love anything Cookie Butter scented/flavored, and it was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. I don't know what I was expecting when I smelled this but I was shocked. It smells exactly like Cookie Butter... like exactly! It smells so delicious, so perfect and it adds the slightest nude tint to your lips, while still having the same, great moisturizing formula of regular Balm Dot Com. Whenever I use this balm, I am transported to the North Pole and it puts the biggest smile on my face. 

Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte 

Hotel Lobby Candles

Stoney Clover Flat Pouches

I don't think I really have to explain this one. I am Stoney Clover's biggest fan and a huge fan of their discontinued, once in a while, vegan leather flat pouches. I have a handful of flat pouches and just purchased another one from their American Girl collection. I love using them as clutches but I've been using them as iPad cases for the past few weeks and I love it! With my new iPad, I like to have it case-free... I just like the way it looks and feels, but I don't want to have it out in the open all the time. The SCL flat pouch is perfect for that. 

The vegan leather pouches are only available at select times, in select collaborations now (a few from the American Girl collection are still available) but you can also use the clear flat pouches for this! 

Replica Fragrances

For the past year or so, I have been really into perfumes. I don't know what came over me but I am simply obsessed with buying all different types of fragrances; it's a little luxury that really makes me so happy. One of the brands I have come to really love is Maison Margiela Replica fragrances. Years ago, I fell in love with By the Fireplace and Under The Lemon Trees. This past spring, Bubble Bath was my go-to and then, I discovered the scent Autumn Vibes. I haven't touched any of my other perfumes in a good two months because these take the cake. Each one is so unique and light... the scent lasts a long time but they aren't overpowering. These are my new go-to! 

What have been your current obsessions lately?
xoxo
B

When I think of peppermint I always think of Christmas and naturally, I think of winter. Peppermint and mint, in general, is a very specific taste and has a specific audience. However, I really love it (at times) especially when mixed with hot chocolate.

I also really love peppermint in my beauty products. I love the tingly sensation that makes me believe that a product is really working.



I started to notice a trend in my collection and figured I'd share my favorite beauty products that have that minty feeling! None of these are really 'makeup' products but more of a beauty focus in general!

Hello there! It feels like it's been a very long month and I usually feel that way about April. I completely didn't realize I forgot my March Favorites post! I was looking for it to refrence and it's not there! This is the first time I've ever missed a favorites!

I'm excited for May (did I just say that) because there's so much going on work wise, I'm going to be very busy. I also like to think of it as if we're one step closer to Summer, we're one step closer to Fall!

When sitting down to think about my April favorites I felt like I didn't have too many but after looking around my room, I realized I did have a nice little amount.

I didn't use too much makeup this month because I spent a lot of time waking up late for work and running out of the house. I did buy a nice amount of makeup from Ulta and the Sephora VIB sale which you can watch in one of my vlogs.

For my favorites, it's a mix of beauty and fashion so let's get right into it!

1. Sephora Collection Almond Lip Balm: I had my eye on the Sephora Collection lip balms for a while and for $6, you can't go wrong. I picked this up in my local Sephora JCP and I have not stopped using it all month long. It's super smooth, nourishing, and doesn't leave any sticky or tacky residue on the lips. They have a bunch of different types which do different things and I highly recommend you check them out!



2. Kate Spade Perfume Collection: I briefly mentioned this set in my fragrance post and on my Instagram but it truly has been my favorite thing this month. I've been wanting Kate Spade perfume for the longest time but always just purchased something else. When I saw this collection, I jumped. I've currently being wearing 'Live Colorfully' all month long and it's the perfect light, airy spring scent!

3. Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Dry Shampoo: When I saw this dry shampoo come on the market I was less than impressed. What is a perfume brand doing coming out with a dry shampoo? I've been obsessed with my Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo but lately it just hasn't been helping. I watched Kathleen Lights favorites video and she mentioned this so I decided to give it a dry. OMG It's SO GOOD. It's very light and doesnt leave any residue in your hair. The thing I love about this dry shampoo is that I can run my hands through my hair and it's not tough or rough. Does that make sense? I hate when my dry shampoo makes my hair sticky and tough.

4. TopShop Slides: When the slides trend started I was not feeling it but as I saw more people wearing them, they grew on me. I was browsing Nordstorm and saw these TopShop slides which look similar to a pair of Chanel ones and immediately bought them. I've only worn them a handful of times but they're such a great shoe to throw on and run out of the house, and they look good with every outfit. I highly recommend a pair of slides this summer! *The slides are not available at Nordstrom anymore but I love these by TopShop too! 



5. Coffee & Couture: This is a company by my new favorite Youtubers (and sisters) Toni & Allie Sevdalis. I started watching them obsessively this month and they are the reason I was inspired to finally start my Youtube channel! Coffee & Couture is their jewelry line and they hand make all the jewelry; after watching I decided to purchase some pieces and I've been LOVING them! I've mostly been wearing and loving the evil eye rings. I highly suggest checking them out; the jewelry is high quality and super adorable. I've been loving danity jewelry and this website is feeding my obsession!

Have a great day everyone :) 
xoxo
B

Soap & Glory was always one of those brands I heard about on Youtube, saw at Sephora, but never tried. I don't really have a reason... they were (& still are, very inexpensive), so that wasn't it. I just kept forgetting to try it out. Always kept building carts, and then deleting them, the contents disappearing from my site.

This was a constant game I played with myself, until mid December when Soap & Glory was about to vanish from Sephora and head to Drugstore.com since it was lowering it's prices.

If you didn't know, Soap & Glory is a UK beauty brand that has very cheeky, adorable packaging and some of the best skincare products I've ever tried. They have make-up, but a lot of it isn't available here in the US... hence why the products I'm going to talk about are strictly skincare.

They are most well known for their Hand Food Hand Cream & Righteous Body Butter-- both which were at the top of my list to try. Supposedly the scent is intoxicating, and now that I have tried & loved both products, they are.

I placed an order on Sephora back in December when everything was on sale for stupidly cheap prices, then went into a Sephora store and got one more product... then a few weeks back, placed an order on Drugstore.com for two new items.

Therefore, I feel like I can make a pretty good assumption on the brand & their products... plus I've used and loved every single product I'm about to talk about.



//Hand Food Hand Cream: I want this stuff slathered on my body 24/7. It is the least greasiest hand cream I have ever used, and it is by far the most incredible scent. I don't even know what it is. I literally am going to be of no help because I don't know what this bad boy smells like -- it's floral and feminine, but completely intoxicating and delicious. It leaves my skin very moisturized but not overly moisturized to the point where I can't hold my phone. I will for sure be repurchasing this when I run out.

//Righteous Body Butter: I bought this during the Sephora clear out, just a tiny tube of it but had no use for it, because I was using a different lotion at the time. When I started my new job in April, I brought this to the office to leave in my desk. I usually have my Hand Food cream with me but I'd be lying if I said I was too lazy to reach into my bag to get it. Also, I like the idea of leaving things at work -- so much more adult! This is heavier than the hand cream, but has the same scent. It's also not greasy as you'd expect a body butter to be, because I can go right back to work. Once the winter comes, I'm ordering a huge tube of this stuff to keep at home.

//Great Kisser Lip Balm: One of my favorite beauty vloggers, MakeUpByTiffanyD has been raving about this lip balm for years. When my face was freaking out with dryness and swelling back in the winter, I grabbed this during a Sephora run to try to tame my swollen, dry, and cracked lips. Not realizing that it had petroleum in it, I realized it soon after-- and petroleum isn't good for chapped lips. I have though, gotten use out of this because I keep it in my bag and use it as a glossy balm. It is very sticky, but the smell (vanilla bean) is too good to resist. I like the gloss it gives my lips and it's a no fuss product. I may actually move this into my work desk too....



//Sit Tight Super Intense 4-D Firming & Smoothing Lower Body Serum: This can be considered a controversial product because a lot of people may think it takes a lot more to firm your butt & thighs, and get rid of cellulite, than just using a serum. And there is... and the adorable packaging said so. It said something like "don't eat junk food and stuff your face..." or something like that-- something a lot of people would find offensive because America is easily offended these days(another day, another post). A lot of Youtubers said this work, but after CoffeeBreak With Dani said it burned and worked, I knew I needed it. With the blessing & coersion of my mother, I ordered it and my goodness it works!!!!!!!! My ass was ON FIRE after using it.. like to the point where I was in a little bit of pain. I haven't used it religiously so I don't know if there are any results happening back there, but we'll see. The burn is worth it, honestly.



//Heel Genuis Foot Cream: My feet are gross. Feet in general aren't appealing but my feet have always been an issue. I have never found a foot cream that does me right, but this one has quickly made a climb to the top. I ordered this when I ordered the tightening serum, because it was there and I was curious. It has a gel like consistency and smells minty.. it gives a teeny bit of a cooling effect which is nice. I used this for a few nights in a row, slathering it on my feet and putting socks on while I slept, and I noticed a difference within three days. My heels were smoother & softer. My feet, the next morning, were also very greasy and I was slipping out of my shoes. It took me three days to figure out why. I've been reserving this for the weekends, until fall comes around and we say goodbye to sandal weather and my feet aren't a slippery mess. Otherwise, this is an amazing cream.

Next up on my Soap & Glory list? Their Flake Away Body Scrub. Come to mama-- let's exfoliate!

Have you tried Soap & Glory? What are your favorite products that I should try? 

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