June Favorites

There are about four weeks left until D-Day (delivery day), and although I haven't posted much in the past couple of weeks, I'm committing to posting as often as possible during these upcoming ones! Everything is in preparation mode, but my basket of items to review, gossip about, and trash is overflowing...so I will do what needs to be done!

I bring you my most-used products of June. Sadly, the last post was on the most-used items in May--so this is a reminder to me that time is flying by!

Some of these deserve their own special posts (which they will get in time), but do let me know if you have any specific questions on one in particular. The one product missing is Anastasia's Brow Pencil (featured in May's favorites), which will soon be joined by a handful of back-ups. It's THAT good.

Working clockwise:

Paul & Joe Lipstick #20 (Milk Chocolate): A somewhat sheer, moisturizing lipstick that looks great, regardless of my lip's condition. It's not so much chocolatey as it is a slightly deeper rose, with hints of brown. The texture melts into the lip and offers a flattering sheen, yet keeps skin soft with the help of avocado oil.

Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer (Warm): This sulfate, phtalate, nasty-ingredient-free concealer is pretty much everything I've been looking for in an under eye concealer. My all-time favorite has always been Cle de Peau's version, but this one is getting way more airtime these days. It's more moisturizing, although just a bit more sheer. The latter is easily rectified by layering a couple thin layers to any under eye circles and gently dabbing with the ring finger. It includes Vitamin E and doesn't cake or crease in the least. This discovery has been perfect timing, as I'm sure some under eye concealer will fix a world of hurt in the next couple of months!

Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release (SPF 15): Lighter than a tinted moisturizer, yet full of ingredients that will offer sun protection and just the slightest bit of coverage. Nix coverage--it's more like a bit of evening. My sister introduced me to this one, and it's fabulous for the summer. It is scented a bit like cucumber, and in some ways reminds me of a very lightweight bb creme (it offers several skin conditioning treatments, and also starts out a bit grey prior to blending). I wouldn't go for this if you're much darker than an Armani 6.5, but it does seem to adjust to skin tones up to that point. I had been testing it out in comparison to Origins' VitaZing, and this one was much less orange-tinted and greasy.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place EyeShadow Base: What is it with Estee? I go for years without having a single desire to dip into the brand, and then within the course of this last year, have found several noteworthy products! I can appreciate an eyeshadow base that is light, and doesn't have a thick texture. Something along the lines of Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It doesn't need to prime my lid to the point of dehydration, because I'm far too paranoid about my eye area being dry. This one ticks all of the boxes--it's easy to access as the pot is wide, and keeps things in place. It doesn't alter the pigment in my shadows, but does prevent the creasing that will inevitably happen if I skip using it. The marketing boasts 15-hr staying power...but I am never awake that long these days to tell the story.

MAC Eyeshadow in Modelette (satin): From the Warm & Cozy Collection (Dec 2009--are you serious?!), we have one of my favorite blending shadows. Warm & Cozy was one of my favorite releases (along with Naked Honey), and listing the release date reminds me of how long it's been since I've really enjoyed a collection. Anyhoo, I turn to this little love time and again, for assistance with blending a neutral eye. It's quite sheer yet offers a tiny bit of shimmer--mostly due to its satin blend. You can currently find something similar in Cargo's Essential Eye Palette (possibly the third shade down?)

What did you love in the month of June? Are there any items you have had your eye on for this month? If you're in the US, enjoy your Independence Day...and to my lovely Tongan readers, do you remember this time as once being HRH's Birthday Week? :) Happy times.