I really enjoy watching/reading monthly favorites posts on YouTube and blogs. For better or worse, though, I just don’t go through enough new products each month to have new favorites that frequently.
The outstandingly fabulous Jen Luv’s Reviews over on YouTube does seasonal favorites, rather than monthly, and I’ve decided to gratefully borrow that idea! Over the course of the last few months these have been my stand-out, go-to, products that I reach for again and again. In fact, I realized as I was pulling these products for photos, many of them have already been featured in previous blog posts!
First up, some base products. My Pur Minerals CC has been a must whenever I need a quick skin tone evening that also supplies SPF. You can see before and afters in my summer foundations part 2 post 🙂 I particularly loved this when we were down the shore last month, great protection and coverage on the beach… I did reapply after each swim. Around my eyes, I prefer to use products devoted to eyes. I start with some of the ELF Hydrating Under Eye Primer. It has a slightly peachy tone, with a bit of light reflective capability, so it acts as the perfect base for any correctors/concealers. Lately, for concealing, I’ve been quite enjoying the It Cosmetics CC+ for Eyes, superior SPF and decent coverage for my dark circles, too 🐼
Speaking of concealing, my holy grail product for covering spots is none other than Pur Minerals Disappearing Act. That may not have been a shock, considering it ranked as one of my desert island beauty items. Between the coverage and the fact that it contains salicylic acid, so I can feel like I’m treating not just covering, I can’t imagine ever preferring anything else.
If I want a wash of color over my lids that I know will stay put all day, it’s ELF’s Smudge Pot in Cruisin’ Chic every time. This was featured in my recent 1-shadow wonders post, and there’s a reason I chose this one for a featured look!
My next favorite is one of my two all time favorite mascaras. Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volume. Love. This. Stuff. It gives amazing volume and length, so amazing, in fact, that it’s the only mascara I even bother with when I’m wearing a really dark shadow. I know it will stand up to the challenge. Check out my cruelty-free color = myrtle green post, and you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about.
It’s been pretty hot and muggy here on the east coast of the U.S. for the past few weeks, so I’ve been feeling the need for a bit of extra help in keeping unwanted shine at bay. I’ve consistently been reaching for my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light, it’s so finely milled it feels like nothing on the skin, but leaves a lovely lightened, natural looking finish.
On my lips, I’ve been swiping on a bit of Pixi Beauty’s Shea Butter Lip Balm in Natural Rose. It has a taste- and stickiness-free creamy texture and gives a nice amount of color for a tinted lip balm. The only thing I don’t love about it is that I have to hold the inner tube while I apply, or else the pressure pushes the balm back down into the tube… not sure if that’s true for all of these or if I just got a wonky one.
Alrighty, that’s it for this round of favorites, which have been your must haves this summer?
*These are only my opinions, formed through my personal experience as a consumer. I am not a medical doctor, an aesthetician, or a health/beauty professional. There is no guarantee what effect, positive or negative, these products may have on anyone else.
**All products were purchased by me from brands that, to the best of my knowledge, are cruelty-free.
Beauty, for good. 
2 replies to “Cruelty-free Summer Favorites!”