My summer favorites--July

I decided to do a post on the cosmetics and other beauty products that I have been using lately. Perhaps you are looking to try something new. These are a great place to start!

1. Fragrance. 

For summer, I like a light, floral scent. This summer I am loving Victoria's Secret Bombshell scent, because I love the fragrance so much! It smells like 'summer' to me. I especially am loving the body mist, which I have in the Shimmer Mist version, which leaves a shimmer to your skin with little particles of glitter. In case you couldn't tell, I like shiny things, including jewelry, and glitter, lol. 

2. Bronzer/Highlighter

This compact is BOTH blush and bronzer. I have been using it lately, and it looks especially good on tanned skin. I like that the new version comes with a mirror. I have the older version, where the top and bottom are not connected, and no mirror is included. It does have that brush as shown in the picture, but I prefer to use my own powder brush. 

I swirl these together and use on cheeks, or I contour my cheekbones as the instructions say on the packaging. I also use just the pink for highlighting. This product has a lot of shimmer to it. 

I get a lot of compliments when I wear this. 

3. Urban Decay 'Naked' Palette

As many bloggers probably have heard, this palette is wonderful. The colors are very beautiful, and you can create so many different looks, from neutral to smoky eyes. I am not a fan of the primer potion, but maybe thats only because I have been using the primer potion in the color 'Sin', which is a bronzy version of this, and I like the extra oomph it gives to browns. 

It comes with a double sided eyeliner, instead of a brush, which is fine because the hole for the liner is big enough to fit in my favorite Stila double-sided eyeshadow brush for traveling. I rarely use liner, so I can't really say if this is good liner or not. I have yet to use it. 

4. Lip Gloss

My favorite lip gloss of all time last summer was the Tarte Vitamin Infused Lip Gloss in 40 Winks, which was a peachy-clear color. After I used that up, (it lasted a really long time too, it is a very good product and it had good staying power for me). I got Om, which is a 'iridescent pink', it is very pretty. 

 40 winks

 Om  

5. My own salt-spray for hair

I loved my Bumble and Bumble Sea Salt Spray, and was sad when it ran out. But I read online that you can make your own for a lot less $$, and have the same effects. So I decided to give it a try. 

And I really like it! It works just as well as the Bumble and Bumble. This is how I wear my hair (when I wear it down) for the summer. Its so easy to style this way. 

I used this formula:

2 cups warm water

2 tablespoons sea salt (from grocery store)

1 tablespoon of cheap conditioner (cheap conditioner is more watery, so it will dissolve better in the water. I just used my Tresemme Naturals conditioner)

Mix the warm water with the sea salt until dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle, pour in conditioner. Mix and shake. It's ready!!

I also read different versions, one of which says to add essential oils, (any ones that you like the smell of) or to use Suave Coconut Conditioner, because it smells very 'beachy'. I just smelled it today coincidentally in the grocery store, it only costs $1 per bottle, so you can use it up too if you decide to use it for the salt spray. 

Adding conditioner helps to keep your hair frizz-free and moisturized. 

I am very particular about my shampoo and conditioner. Tresemme is the only brand that I like, so I'll stick with that. I love the smell of it, and it just works wonders for me. It's also frequently on sale, and not expensive. I've tried so many other shampoos and conditioners and they tangle my hair and dry it out :(. So I haven't tried this version of it! But let me know if you do. 

6. Nail polish

I am wearing this shade almost constantly on my fingers and toes. It is the perfect nude. It is very natural, but dark enough for me. LOVE!

'Mambo' by Essie