The Beauty Brief

Hey there, beauty lovers! I’ve been trying out a ton of new products lately (the seasonal shift has me switching up my beauty routine…plus, I’m a hopeless addict) and I’m excited to give you the scoop on an incredible lip oil, a heat styling balm, and the best foundation primer in all the land. Let’s dive into this month’s edition of the Beauty Brief!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is pricey, but it is hands down the best primer I have ever put on my face. And guys, I have tried a ton of primers! It’s silky soft, blends into my skin seamlessly without leaving any residue or stickiness, and keeps my foundation in place all day. Not just all of the workday, but literally ALL day. I hardly ever need to touch up my foundation anymore! My skin is on the dry side, so I’m not sure how well this would work for someone with oily skin. But I will use this stuff forever. As for the price issue, my advice is to purchase the travel size, which will last you a freakishly long time anyway. Then you can decide if you want to splurge on the full size version.

As someone who is hopelessly devoted to the Oribe brand – it’s been suggested that I could easily open an Oribe store with the products in my bathroom – I didn’t like Oribe Balm d’Or Heat Styling Shield as much as I thought I would. I expected it to make my hair super sleek and shiny, and it was kind of a letdown on that front…for heat styling, I prefer Oribe Royal Blowout Spray. But Balm d’Or does smell amazing (as all things Oribe do) and surprisingly, it makes my hair feel much thicker. Strange, but I’ll try using it in conjunction with a curling iron instead of just a blow dryer and see if that steps up the sleekness factor.

Julep is killing it lately, and their new lip oil – appropriately named Your Lip Addiction – is amazing. So many lip oils out there are thick and sticky, and this one is weightless, shiny, and smooth, instantly infusing your pout with much-needed moisture. It’s described as having a sheer tint of color, but if you ask me, it’s really more of a stain that lasts for hours. Most colored lip products tend to accentuate dryness, but this one does the opposite by soothing and magically retexturizing your lips. It’s so, so good (and in my opinion, better than the Hourglass lip oil). Do yourself a favor and try it!

What’s in your makeup bag these days? Are there any beauty products you’ve been dying to try?

♥ Mil

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Summer Beauty Refresh

June is exactly one week away…which means summer is almost here! I’m excitedly pulling all of my sandals out of storage and updating my makeup bag with seasonal favorites. Oh, brights, how I’ve missed you! Aside from an infusion of color, my beauty routine tends to become a little more laid-back and streamlined in the summer. Here’s an inside peek at the products I love and the ones I want to try this season.

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven

 

When it gets warm, I ditch my mineral foundation in favor of tinted moisturizer, and swap my powder blushes with a cream or waterproof gel stain. They’re so much more forgiving in the heat! I’m gravitating towards bright, vibrant lip colors right now, like this gorgeous oil-infused gloss. I don’t wear a ton of eye makeup in the summer because it’s usually the first thing to melt or fade away, but I can’t resist shimmery golden shades that play up a sun-kissed glow.

Waterproof mascara is a given in a beach/pool scenario, but what’s a girl to do about her brows? I recently came across a waterproof brow gel, which sounds extremely intriguing. I’m also obsessed with this makeup setting spray (you can read my full review of it here) – it’s SO refreshing, it’s organic, and it’s SPF 30. Definitely a summer staple!

I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to my hair (which is surprising, given my lengthy makeup routine), and in the summer I usually just spritz it with Surf Spray and twist it up in a bun for beachy looking waves with virtually zero effort. That stuff is a cult classic for a reason! I switch out my shampoo and conditioner frequently (due more to boredom than any real need), and right now I really want to try this coconut-infused duo from Coqui Coqui. Anything to help me pretend I’m on a tropical vacation, basically.

I love a good body oil, and I’ve been hunting for a version with bronzer that looks subtle and natural. This one might fit the bill…until I can try it, I’ll stick with a luscious, fast-absorbing body lotion (preferably one with a cheeky name).

Which beauty products are you adding to your routine for summer? Is there anything new you’re excited to try?

♥ Mil

 

Image via Nordstrom

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! After returning from vacation, it’s been a bit of a struggle to get back into my regular routine, but I’m more or less back on track now. If I sleep in ridiculously late tomorrow, I should be back to full power. In other news, I’m attending my friend’s son’s 1st birthday party on Saturday, and I still can’t quite believe I’m at the point in my life where I can say things like that! What are you up to this weekend? Here are a few fun links to entertain you until you rush off into the sunset.

1. Here are five compelling books to read this spring, including one so steamy that it supposedly makes 50 Shades look like the Bible. (Cup of Jo)

2. Guys, I want to visit Charleston soooo bad. This travel guide is only intensifying my desire to book a flight out there ASAP. The food alone seems like it would be worth the plane ticket! (The Stripe)

3. Ladies with layered hair, say hello to the simplest styling trick ever. It’ll work on any hair texture, too. (The Beauty Department)

4. Key lime pie in ice cream form? Be still, my heart! I desperately need a KitchenAid stand mixer just so I can make this recipe. (A Beautiful Mess)

5. When it comes to packing, I am definitely not a minimalist, but the “snowball method” sounds intriguing. Are you a checked bag or a carry-on only kind of girl? (Refinery29)

Have a fabulous weekend!

♥ Mil

5 Beauty DIYs to Get You Through the Zombie Apocalypse

As we all know, the zombie apocalypse is inevitable. It’s going to happen, and it won’t be pretty. The only real question is: will you be ready? Having a stockpile of canned goods and a crossbow at the ready is great, but what if you can’t make it to the nearest Sephora before it’s looted? These are the things I think about, guys. When the worst happens, it will be necessary to have some DIY beauty skills in your back pocket to fall back on. Here are five simple concoctions you can make virtually anywhere, whether you’re holed up in a dilapidated barn or you’re squatting in an abandoned prison (fingers crossed).

3 Tropical DIY Body Scrubs via Hello Glow

 

These delicious-looking tropical body scrubs will be especially handy for those of you who are in Hawaii when the end comes. You’ll have to mash up the fruit by hand instead of using a blender, but man, is it going to feel good to scrub the grit of the apocalypse off of your skin!

DIY Dry Shampoo via Brit + Co

 

Showers will be a thing of the past, so knowing how to make your own dry shampoo is an essential skill in a post-apocalyptic world. My sister uses a formula similar to this one and she swears by it. There’s also a version of the recipe for light hair.

DIY Rosewater Face Mist via A Beautiful Mess

 

This lovely rosewater face mist will feel super refreshing after a long day of fighting zombies (or running away from them, depending on your personal style). Plus, it smells so good, you’ll almost forget that society has collapsed.

DIY Avocado, Honey & Yogurt Face Mask via The Everygirl

 

Staying hydrated is going to be tough post-apocalypse, and finding a good facialist will be pretty much impossible. But if you learn how to whip up this amazing mask made from avocado, honey & yogurt, your skin will thank you. (Plus, the leftovers are edible.) It’s insanely moisturizing and soothing. Apocalypse or not, this is probably my favorite beauty DIY of all time!

DIY Sea Salt Spray via Almost Makes Perfect

 

I admit, achieving perfect tousled beachy waves will likely be low on your list of priorities in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. But this sea salt spray is a pretty good dupe for Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, and will keep you from looking like death warmed over. Until a zombie bites you, that is.

Which beauty DIYs will you rely on during the zombie apocalypse? Also, who else really misses The Walking Dead already?

♥ Mil

P.S. The best DIY lip scrub and a DIY caffeine serum for undereye circles!