October was gone in a flash and I don't know how I feel about it. I was so busy this month that I don't think I was fully able to relish in the best '-ber' month of all. I did some fall things, like watch Hocus Pocus every single day (including when on three plane rides),  I hosted my friends for our annual fall girls night, baked fall cookies and used all my fall themed items, like Pumpkin Spice hand sanitizer and my Hocus Pocus Stoney Clover pouch.

The weather in New York agreed with the calendar changing and we had some decent fall weather. I think only a few days over the last few weeks were hot, making it feel like August instead of October so I'll take it! Before the month is over, I plan to bake some pumpkin bread and indulge in a few more fall scented candles.

October was a fun, busy month as I've mentioned 100 times over the course of the last few blog posts. I started it off in California for a work trip, my sister got engaged, I had countless family parties from birthdays, baptisms, and weddings. I went to Florida, saw Taylor Swift in concert, and had fun with friends. It really was one of the most exciting months I've had in a while and truthfully, it all went swimmingly. 

I didn't have any anxiety freak outs related to travel or being busy; in fact, it was the opposite. I found myself feeling oddly calm with a packed calendar which makes me think that I need to be doing more things to feel calmer. What an odd feeling! 

My shopping was at a minimum in October which is always a positive but that doesn't mean I don't have some new favorites to add to my list.

Let's get into it! 

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. 

Without sounding too full of myself, I've always had really great skin. I get blemishes and pimples every so often, and my skin is very sensitive and dry so I have to be careful of the beauty products I'm using but aside from that, I'm ok.

I would never classify my skin as acne-prone but I'm human, I'm also a woman, so acne is part of life. As I've gotten older, I've found ways to get rid of blemishes and pimples a little faster and especially in the past few months, I've been working to find the best ways to get rid of any acne scarring or dark spots that pop up on my skin.

I don't always do all of these steps together but they are most effective when I use them in routine.

Neutrogena Acne Light 

I received this in PR a few years ago and it is truly a game-changer. I've never used one of those big LED masks but this small light wand makes a huge difference. When I feel a pimple coming on or there's one underneath my skin (sorry, TMI), I put this light on the spot. It delivers the perfect amount of light and turns off automatically, it's not more than 2 minutes and I just repeat the process for a few days until I notice a difference. Right now, this is only available on Neutrogena's website but definitely check out your local drugstores (when quarantine is over) to see if they carry it.

Pimple Patches

These are magic and the true key in quickly getting rid of blemishes. These clear, gel-like patches adhere to your blemish and deliver some potion to your skin to shrink and eventually get rid of the pimple. Right now I'm using the Alba Botanica Pimple Patches and they are working wonders. Within two days, my blemish is a lot less noticeable and is on it's way to being totally gone. In the past, I've used the Skyn Iceland patches and they work really well.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

I spoke about these in my February Favorites and they have been a total lifesaver. I use the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads right after cleansing my skin at night, almost as a toner, and always notice that my skin is a little less dull, any dark spots or scars are less noticeable. It also helps remove any texture in my skin from clogged pores or small pimples; overnight, my texture is completely gone. I think using these pads consistently has made the biggest difference in my skin; when I do not use these for a few days or skip my skincare routine, I notice that my face doesn't look as good. These might be one of my favorite beauty discoveries ever.

Summer Fridays CC Me Serum

I have been on the hunt for a good Vitamin C serum for years. Nothing on the market ever enticed me and I didn't want to just buy a serum for the sake of buying one. I know that doesn't make sense but I just found the process confusing. Finally, one of my favorite skincare brands, Summer Fridays, released their own Vitamin C serum and it wasn't even a question if I was going to purchase it. I've been using the CC Me Serum for a few months and have noticed a visible difference. My skin is very spotty at times and this makes a huge difference. My skin is a little smoother, a little brighter and the blemishes and dark spots are seemingly gone. I love using these in conjunction with the FAB Radiance Pads and together, they are a recipe for success. I don't think I will stray from this vitamin c serum and will continue to repurchase. It works that well for me.



What are your favorite products for keeping your skin smooth & clear?

xoxo
B

This is a very late post but last week was rough and the weekend was even weirder. While there were really special moments over the weekend, like wedding dress shopping for my best friend and a baby shower for my new cousin, I was anxious and slept a lot. Therefore, got nothing productive done.

Over the course of 36 hours, I napped for about 8 of them, outside of regular sleep. That's why my favorites post is a few days late...

None of these items were purchased this month but I used them so much; the beauty items have made a huge difference in my skin and the other items make me incredibly happy.

Let's get into them...

Summer Fridays CC Serum

I've been in the market for a Vitamin C serum for years now but felt like nothing really fit what I was looking for, that is until Summer Fridays released theirs. I love everything Summer Fridays puts out so I was super pumped about a vitamin C serum. I've been using it pretty consistently over the past few months and have noticed a major difference in my skin. My dark spots are lighter, the texture is pretty much gone and my skin does look a little brighter. I really wanted it to even out my skin tone and it has succeeded at doing that, without any weird reactions. It's a must-have in my routine now.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

To go right along with my CC Serum, my other favorite beauty product of the month are the FAB Facial Radiance Pads. I only have a sample of them and don't use them as religiously as I would like but wow, do they make a difference. When my skin is breaking out or texture is just too much to handle, one swipe of these across my face and my issues are gone. They're soaked in lactic and glycolic acid which helps exfoliate, tone, and brighten so pretty much are a miracle worker. If you're having any sort of skin issue, I highly recommend these pads as I think they will change everything.

The Five Minute Journal App

At the beginning of the year, I wanted to find a way to reflect every day. While I try to use a physical journal a few times a week, I thought a gratitude app or something similar would help me get more into the habit of daily journaling. I don't know where I heard of this app but I have become obsessed with it. The Five Minute Journal App allows you to reflect daily, both in the morning and night. In the morning, you write out what three things you're grateful for, how you will make the day great, and a daily affirmation. For the night journal, you say three amazing things that happened, and how you could've made that day better. You also are able to add a photo and you get daily inspirational quote prompts. It's just the best way for me to take a few moments in the morning and night and reflect on what I experienced and will experience.

Disney Lenox Figurines

I took two days off from the blog to focus on Christmas with my family and it was so nice. I hope you all had a beautiful few days with your families and loved ones. Now, I'm on vacation and taking these days before 2019 to relax and I'm so excited.

It's time I start wrapping up the year on the blog and I'll be talking about all my favorites from 2018. Today, we're kicking it off with my favorite beauty items of 2018. This was a year where beauty took a backseat and I stopped shopping at Sephora twice a week. I was much more mindful of what I was purchasing and the items I did pick up quickly became favorites. Here are just a few of them...

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

I think this was a beauty item that will be in a lot of end of year round-ups because it made the biggest splash this year. It is definitely my most used beauty item of the year and I can't remember a night where I didn't slather this on my face and bask in its glory. This is a mask that can be worn as a mask or as a moisturizer, meaning you don't have to wash it off. I use it as my night cream and my skin feels so soothed and healthy afterward. When I have a heavy makeup day or just feel like my skin needs extra love, Jet Lag cures it all. It isn't too heavy where you feel like you're a greaseball afterward, and you can even wear it under your makeup -- that's the beauty of it; it's deeply hydrating but not heavy. It was definitely my favorite item of the entire year.

Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion

I love a good cleansing oil but sometimes they are too greasy and heavy; sometimes I want to use them as a cleanser and not a makeup remover. This year I discovered one of my favorite cleansers; the Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion. It's thinner than a cleansing oil but thicker than cleansing milk -- it's the perfect happy medium. I use it on its own or with my Clarisonic and it gets all the remanents of my makeup off. It's very gentle, has no scent and hydrating. If this sounds like something you need, I highly recommend picking the Hydroboost Cleansing Lotion up!

Slip Silk Scrunchies

I've fallen in love with $40 scrunchies and I think this is what rock bottom feels like. I thought I had found the perfect scrunchie in Invisibobble and while those are still awesome (and only $8) my Slip Scrunchies are just incredible. From the brand Slip, the Silk Pillowcase brand comes silk scrunchies that won't leave indents and won't damage or break your hair. They have big scrunchies which are the first ones I got and then the thin ones (which are my current favorite). They hold my thick, curly, unruly hair in place and look so adorable in the hair or on the wrist. I don't know if I will ever buy another type of scrunchie again.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk

This may be cheating as I only picked up these items within the past two months but my goodness, they are the best. I'm talking about the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pillowtalk and Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillowtalk. They are the best pair in beauty, the most natural and gorgeous colors and incredible formulas. Wear them alone, wear them together -- the possibilities are endless. They both apply like a dream and are comfortable on the lips. There is a reason that the shade Pillowtalk is a cult classic -- you NEED THEM!

Below are a few other honorable mention items!

xoxo
B

I was talking last week in my Current Beauty Favorites post that I was revulating all my beauty content, which in turn became a full on blog audit. I'll get into that tomorrow in the Royal Round Up but I wanted to kind of introduce this series.

Even though the market is so overly saturated, I still get so excited when brands release new products. There isn't a week that goes by that I am not obsessively checking the Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom 'New Arrivals - Beauty' section.

While I don't love everything that is released, nor do I want everything, I still love to talk about the new releases and almost analyze them, to see if it's a budding trend, something that is really unique or something that is so tired and overdone.

I tried doing that with my failed newsletter, The Beaute Report -- which was just too much to do so maybe a monthly round up post will be more managable.

Some of these items are things I'm really excited about and others are just really hyped up releases that you've probably already seen.

September New Arrivals

1. Summer Friday's Overtime Mask: The Jet Lag Mask is one of my favorite products of the summer and has quickly become a holy grail moisturier for me. I was completely overjoyed when I saw that they were releasing an exfoliating mask called 'Overtime'. The mask is in similar aesthically pleasing packaging that matches the Jet Lag Mask and also has pumpkin enyzmes as an ingridient so it makes it the perfect fall treat. I haven't picked it up yet but I will be this weekend!

*Something to note: It is $4 cheaper than the Jet Lag Mask coming in at $44, however, it does have the same amount of product (2.25oz)

2. Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Collection: The Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillowtalk is one of the most coveted and talked about lip liners in the world. It's weird that I do not have this lip liner or the matching lipstick but I keep putting off buying it. They are both also frequently out of stock. That being said, Charlotte Tilbury has taken the love of Pillowtalk and created an entire collection around it-- well, she's added two additional items that follow the Pillowtalk theme; a blush and eyeshadow palette. I need both but they sold out within minutes and I missed my chance. It's a buzzed about collection so I'm sure she will restock soon!

3. Fenty Diamond Bomb Collection: The only Fenty product I have is one Matchstick that I don't use too often. I personally think Fenty is really overhyped and it doesn't do anything for me. However, everyone bugs out whenever there is a new arrival. The Fenty hype happened again this month when Rihanna put out the Diamond Bomb Collection, consiting of a Fenty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Milk and the Diamond Veil in 'How Many Carats' which is essentially a pearlsecnt, silver highlighter.

4. Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection: TF expanded their Peach range this month to include more Moisture Matte Lipsticks (which I have one of and I LOVE), a Lip Balm & Scrub, and a new wet/dry face & eye palette. I'm very intrigued by the lip balm and it may eventually end up in my posession but nothing really excites me about this collection, expect maybe some new lippie shades!

5. Coverfx Power Play Concealer: I like Coverfx a lot but haven't tried a lot of their products. This concealer though, has me really excited. I didn't try their Power Play Foundation because it was marketed as more matte and I am as dry as the sahara, but this concealer is intriguing. I really like the weirdly shaped applicator and I'm drawn to the packaging for sure. It also has pollution defense (very trendy right now) and is supposed to be creaseproof. If I purchase and try it, I will report back!

Also in September, beauty brands start to release their holiday collections. Once everything is released, I'll probably do a full post but so far, nothing excites me!

What do you think about these new releases?
xoxo
B

My skin has not been in the best shape the past few weeks. I've been super dry and had some weird allergic reactions to a few things (I think a Charlotte Tilbury eye cream was to blame) so I've been really trying to get everything back to normal.

About a month ago I noticed that I felt super dry, everywhere. My mouth, nose, hands, cuticles, face, and body were just completely parched. I drink my weight in water each other (it's the only thing I drink) so something had to be done.

I've been in a huge beauty funk; I wasn't really taking care of my skin and I wasn't feeling any of my makeup and I was just over it. Within the past 2-3 weeks, I've hit a reset button and makeup/beauty is all I want to do.



It worked out well because I've kind of amped up my skincare routine, or at least started using some products a little more strategically.



1. Neutrogena Skincare: About a month ago I did a sponsored post on Instagram with Neutrogena. They sent me their Hydroboost line and holy hell, I've been obsessed. I've been out of the drugstore game for a while but this pulled me in. My three favorite products have been the Cleansing Lotion, Exfoliating Cleanser, and Multi-Vitamin Booster.

I love a good cleansing oil but this cleansing lotion is not as emollient as a cleansing oil and has a much better consistency in my opinion. It's gentle but removes all my makeup like a dream.

The Exfoliating Cleanser is also super gentle but it doesn't dry out my skin like some exfoliators can; it has tiny beads that aren't too rough and also has a great gel-like consistency. It deep cleans my skin and leaves it feeling fresh and hydrated.

Finally, the multi-vitamin booster serum has been great to lather on at night when my skin needs an extra boost. I haven't noticed a huge difference when I use it but I like to incorporate some kind of serum into the routine and this has been a great addition.

2. Tatcha Violet C Radiance Mask: I don't think this can really count since I used it once, and it was a foil packet sample but holy crap, I'm buying the full size. My skin was feeling very discolored, uneven, and blotchy last weekend and I was fed up with it. I knew this mask had amazing reviews and I knew I had a sample of it. I slathered the violet mask on, left it on for 15 minutes and was stunned at the results. My skin looked totally different; a lot of the spots were gone and my skin looked brighter. The results have lasted almost a week later. I am stunned at the magic that is in this mask and I need more of it. I have never seen a skincare item act so fast and so well.



3. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask: If you have seen my Instagram post, you know I've fallen in love with the latest social media beauty craze. Star influencer Mariann Hewitt launched her brand Summer Fridays a few weeks ago and the first product is this Jet Lag Mask. It's very aesthetically pleasing in terms of packaging and is perfect in the formula. It's made to be a mask that will hydrate your parched and ragged skin, two things that happen to your skin when you're constantly flying and feeling jet lagged (get the name?). A special thing about this mask is that it is a white cream but doesn't look like a regular face mask when applied on your skin. It's basically clear or looks like a regular moisturizer. Since receiving it a few weeks ago from Sephora, I haven't used it as a mask. I use this nightly as a night cream, after my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil or the Neutrogena Serum. I wake up and my skin looks healthier, plumper, and just better all around. I never, ever want to be without this mask.

4. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: I might've mentioned this once before, either in a video or in an old blog post but I've been thoroughly enjoying this mask lately. It's like a reset button for my face and I put it on whenever I feel like I need to even my face out, or when I just need to get rid of dead skin cells. There is a reason it's so popular and it's because it really works. Similar to the Tatcha mask, I see immediate results, like I actually went and got a facial, after I use it. It's expensive AF but if you could get the mini size like I did, I recommend it!


What are your current favorite skincare products?
xoxo
B