5. summer (makeup) favorites ♡

hi few people that read these posts! sorry i've been gone for quite some time - i started writing this blog at perhaps the worst possible time in my life (the end of my senior year of high school).  there was so much going on that it was easy to get lost in the things going on and not have much extra time for other things.  however, now that it's summer and i have loads of free time, i figured i would start posting more often, because i do enjoy writing these posts.


for today's post, i figured i would talk about my top three favorite beauty products this summer.  i figured this would be a helpful post, not only because it's summer, but because, i know for myself at least, that my makeup regimen in the summer is very different from the winter: i'm tanner, it's hotter outside, everything looks better in the summer, and things just don't stay put as well.


hopefully, you'll find this post useful and will discover a new product you're interested in trying out!


1. stila beauty balm

available at: ulta, sephora

i love it because: this product has been a lifesaver for me this summer.  beauty balms have been super popular, so of course i wanted to try one out.  but i always fear purchasing foundation-esque makeup when my skin color isn't set, because it can end up being a big waste of money.  what sold me on this product was that it meshes with most skin types.  my cousin, who was lighter than me at the time, tried it out when she was visiting and it worked just as well on her skin (she actually ended up purchasing it when she went home, and she doesn't even like wearing makeup!)  it has a slight skin tone color to it, but when you put it on, it just melts away into your skin.  not only does it even out your tone, canceling any redness you may have, it leaves you with this lovely glowing finish and smells nice as well. it has a very light consistency, which is also nice for the summer, especially considering how hot it's been.  the last thing that i love about this product is that it's easily layered.  some days, i just wear the balm; but on days when i want to feel a little more glamourous, i will layer it with a face powder on top, and it acts as the perfect base, making me feel like i have flawless skin.  i would definitely suggest trying out this BB cream!

2. the lip slip by sara happ

available at: boutiques, online

i love it because: a good lip balm is an essential year round.  lips are chapped in the winter from the cold and chapped in the summer from the heat.  wearing a lip balm in the summer protects your lips from the sun, and most of the time, they have SPF so your lips don't burn, which hurts.  in addition, having a lip balm on is an easy way to tie together any look - it looks like you put forth the effort to make yourself look nice with doing basically nothing.  also, anyone can tote around a lip balm, as they are easy to apply and generally on the smaller side.  basically, this lip balm is the smoothest, most luxurious i have ever used.  it has a pretty thick consistency, but isn't sticky.  it also leaves the most beautiful, slightly shimmery, sheen on your lips.  it smells lovely, and it just is lovely.  i feel that it's worth investing in a great lip balm that will last you a while, and this one is my current favorite.

3. chanel emerveille illusion d'ombre long wear luminous eyeshadow

available at: neiman marcus, chanel counters

i love it because: although the name is a mouthful, this is another really luxurious, great product.  this is a cream eyeshadow you can just apply with your fingers.  it's easy and quick, and leaves the most beautiful finish.  the color is pretty neutral, with pink undertones, and there is the slightest shimmer to it.  it really makes my hazel eyes pop (i can't really vouch for any other eye color, but i'm sure it would on anyone).  it's a bit of a splurge, but i feel as though it's important to have a few really nice products in your makeup collection, rather than a bunch of just okay products.  i waited a while to purchase this one, and i'm really glad that i ended up doing so.  cream eyeshadows are such an easy way to bring together a look, especially if you don't feel like dealing with the hassle of layering powder shadows.  finger in product, finger on eyelid, mascara and done.

so, hopefully you found this helpful and are inspired to try some of these products or variations of them!  happy summer and i will be writing another post soon!  if there are any posts you'd like to see (reviews, favorites, what i wore, fashion, etc.) feel free to leave a comment and i will do my best to do a post on it!  i'm thinking about doing my favorite summer clothing pieces for my next post...

xo