Deep in the dog days of summer, when everybody either is happily vacationing or glumly wishing to be away, we nevertheless bring you our absolutely marvellous July beauty favourites! The twindly team also managed to meet in Cologne, Germany, and had an absolute blast in planning exciting stuff and geeking out about makeup, but that’s a tale to be told another time.
Dorit’s Beauty Favourites
I went back home to Germany for three weeks of the month, went crazy in the perfumeries, department store counters and drugstores, and was generally a very happy bunny. I was finally able to pick up some products I was yearning to try, and a lot has been elevated to instant favourite status. See for yourself!
Armani Brow Maestro in Plum (No. 15)
Ever since I dyed my hair purple (it doesn’t look very purplish right now, my hairdresser called it lovingly ‘raspberry’ in typical hairdresser lingo) I wanted to match my brows to my hair. All DIY attempts weren’t particularly successful – MAC’s Macroviolet fluidline turned out black, Estée Lauder’s Double Wear eye pencil in Untamed Violet was much too waxy, turned patchy and generally wrong-coloured, and all eye shadows weren’t long-lasting enough. I tried the Brow Maestro in store, the nice SA clapped her hands in delight, I had a look at the mirror and was instantly sold. It’s a great colour, performs like a proper brow gel, lasts ages, and the colour is great. Plus, you can use it as an eyeshadow or eyeliner as well! How great is that! I’d happily pay those 30€ again.
Armani Eye Tint in Senso
You’ve seen me wearing Senso here when Astrid came to visit. I was totally delighted with the colour, planned to buy it, and forgot it when other new and bright and shiny things turned up. When I picked up the Brow Maestro, the wonderful SA mentioned that there’s be a gift with purchase if one bought two or more makeup items, and boom, Senso was in my little basket. What started as a spontaneous whim turned into deep love when I wore Senso straight the whole following week, asking myself every morning why I hadn’t picked it up earlier. It might be one of the best Eye Tints – the formula is divine, and the colour brings out the best in my hazel eyes. Love love love.
L’Oreal Nude Magique Cushion foundation
Imagine I’ve never tried a cushion foundation before I went home, read a review of Der blasse Schimmer, was intrigued and promptly bought this at the nearest dm. So, even if you get only a dismal 14,6ml of foundation for 14€, I got even a back-up, because here’s the deal: The foundation tone of the 01 Porcelain shade is spot on for my NC15 skin, and the finish it gives is absolutely perfect. A velvety second skin like look that makes my pores seem invisible and has a medium coverage that never appears mask-like or anything else than utterly natural. Your skin really looks like the best version of itself. As a bonus, it aslso has SPF29. When the bronzer (see some swatches here) or blush (see here) shades of this formula turn up eventually, I know I’ll snatch them up as well. I’m a convert.
Astrid’s Beauty Favourites
Not really new products, but that just shows that some products, no matter how old, are awesome. Especially for summer, when I always use two of the following products!
Skinceuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50
This sunscreen is my favourite – it’s light-weight, non-sticky, and doesn’t leave a white cast on my medium-dark skintone. It has UVA and UVB protection and has the best chemical sunscreen filters available – both Mexoryl and Tinosorb. It also has some Titanium Dioxide, so it’s not without mineral protection either. It’s a joy to use: It sinks in reasonably quickly, is (kinda) sweat- and waterproof, and plays well with makeup. Bottom line – my favourite sunscreen.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
Sunscreen can leave the skin quite dull during summer, so this brightening serum is my go-to during the summer month. It is also quite light-weight and doesn’t sit on my skin. It’s a joy to wear – especially nice is that it’s not photosensitive, so you can wear it during the day and don’t worry about a thing (different from serums that contain acids). Antioxidants and the hydrating properties make this a win.
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Amsterdam
When Dorit and I met in Cologne, we had something like a beauty product swap. Dorit gave me some Nars lipsticks (Dorit: “Because I’m a whimp when it comes to matte lipsticks and the Nars formula is too drying for my lips – silly things that they are!”) and Amsterdam was an instant hit. It’s a warm burgundy red on my pigmented lips, and a great pick-me-up colour when the nice and warm summer temps go down (yup, happens a lot in Berlin this year!) and I need something to cheer me up! And don’t find the Pure Matte Lipsticks drying at all, and I’m a sucker for reds. But we all know that, right?
Found any great products in July? Please share!
