It’s apparently summer, because our July beauty favourites are chock-full of beauty products you too might crave, like a great light-weight moisturiser, a pop of colour for lips and tips, and some secret weapons for better skin!
I’ve been travelling the whole month and, as great as this might sound, damn I’m tired. The best place I’ve been to is tiny, unassuming Bonn (Germany), former capital and one of the two cities in Germany right now that has a Sephora, and coincidentally, the city where the twindly summer meet-up was held. Astrid and I had a fabulous day planning, scheming, and browsing Sephora (as you do). This summery July skincare and makeup favourites hold up well in very diverse weather conditions, that’s for sure!
Dorit’s fave beauty things
Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
I’ve already written about it in my little cosrx overview, and seriously, for hot and humid weather, this is a must-have. Trust me on this. I use it in the evening over my usual toner, essence and serum routine. This clear jelly makes my skin feel like it got an infusion of refreshing, cool moisture. It sinks in slowly, but tracelessly, and locks in all the ingredients and the serum you layered beneath with its silicones. It’s basically the equivalent of a tall drink of water for your face.
It’s formulated for sensitive skin, therefore there isn’t any alcohol or fragrance in the formula. But there’s a lot of good stuff, namely 85% propolis extract, that is famous for its wound-healing properties. I reckon there might be not enough fat in it when the weather cools down, but when you feel your usual moisturiser is a greasy mess on you, this is for you. You can order it online fairly easily, for example here or here.
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
I recently tested The Ordinary’s Niacinamide + Zinc serum and was not a fan, mainly because it made everything I layered over it pill and flake off. I consequently realised how much I loved Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and, with grinding teeth, repurchased it. Grinding teeth? Yes, indeed. Nothing is perfect, and though this is product is as perfect as it can get for me, the price is a bit ridiculous. You’ll get 20ml for 47EUR, and that’s also as expensive as I’m willing to shill out.
It’ll last you for ages, though – I guess my old bottle lasted me for about six month. Niacinamides are great for everything from acne to anti-aging, a proper swiss army knife of ingredients. If you’re diligent in applying it for at least one month, you’ll notice your skin improving its evenness, its tone, firmness, and what have you.
NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Speed of Light
Metallic lips are the next big thing (in fact, metallic liquid matte lipsticks are the next big thing!). I decided to dip my toes into the water with an easily accessible, reasonably priced product. In came the NYX Cosmic Metal Lip Cream in Speed of Light (08), a shade that fluctuates between copper and rose gold, and is decidedly not matte. In texture, this is a fairly thick, sticky gloss that you can nevertheless apply evenly. I like it best layered over a matte nude lipstick like Lancome’s Matte Shaker in Beige Vintage.
It is quite long-wearing, without it saying that. I realised when I swatched it on my arm for this post and the swatch wouldn’t budge. Water and soap wouldn’t remove the stain, while my cleansing oil finally did. I like the shade especially for its take on a proper nude. Also, very nice for summer.
Favourite quote
I’ve been fond of this for so long: “Fake it ‘til you make it”.
Because I found that it is true – if you project the certainty of already having reached a goal, it’s getting much easier to actually reach it. For example: Feel insecure? Just fake a sense of self-assurance, and your posture, your smile, your mental state will make it much easier to feel self-assured. Try it some time!
Astrid’s fave beauty products in July
Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile
Dorit has been telling me how much difference a toner makes. While I do trust her skin care recommendations, I couldn’t actually find one that warranted that extra few seconds to apply until recently. That is, until I tried out Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile (which I originally got as a sample from my other Clarins purchase).
At first I didn’t really put the two and two together, I just noticed my dry patches appeared less frequently (I thought it was due to another moisturizer). After a while, I realized it was this toner. It somehow calms my skin, absolutely love it! (Although now I feel like I’ve to venture to another toner, just to see if it was the specific toner, or toners in general).
Super awesome bonus point: This toner is alcohol free! Kinda negative point: I don’t like the smell, it’s too flowery for my taste, but what makes my skin glow, I can deal with.
Get it here (Douglas) or here (Sephora, where you can also see the full ingredient list).
Aesop Deodorant
I sweat a lot and I’ve been struggling with the dreaded smelly armpit for almost my whole life. The ones that works the best are usually only the super potent anti-perspirant ones. Now, I’m well aware that the link between anti-perspirant ingredients to cancer are not conclusive. But the fact is (1) our body needs to get rid of the aluminium (exists in anti-perspirant deodorant), and (2) sweating is a way for our body to get rid of heat and toxins.
There are a few good ones I’ve tried, the Weleda citrusy / sage leaf ones are pretty good in a non super sweaty situation (think winter / normal non-exercising day). Also there is a home-made one sold on etsy from coconut oil and peppermint, it smells wonderful, but the consistency turned into oil in the 30+ Celsius weather… and who wants to put oil on their armpits?
Lo and behold, this Aesop one, with the key ingredients of Vetiver Root, Zinc Ricinoleate, Coriander Seed, woody smell, kinda like their signature scent. It works so so good in summer, on my runs, on my errands & trips where I’ve to bring my backpack. It’s hell pricey (27 eur / 35 $) but so far it’s one to covet for me.
Get it at Aesop.
La Nail Revolution Nail Polish in twindly purple
When I went to the essence maker shop last month (read all about it here) I wanted to create a nailpolish in twindly purple. Sadly, the machine didn’t work properly, but the essence people promised to send the nailpolish to me. Weeks passed, and then a mystery package arrived. Lo and behold, a nailpolish! In a purple shade that matches our twindly purple exactly! Apparently, essence partnered with La Nail Revolution for this, a brand that customises nailpolish. Anyways, the shade is gorgeous, and isn’t it awesome to have a nailpolish in the exact colour you want?!
Favourite quote
I came across this quote the other day:
“Never waste a minute thinking about people you don’t like” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
I feel like it’s a huge reminder from the universe. Unless I’m working on a solution, what benefit does it do to think about them? Mostly I do that only to bitch or to prove to my friends that I was right. In the end, I’m the one getting annoyed all over again. So yeah, I need this quote. Framed, most likely. More thinking of stuff that makes me happy, or solutions for a better future!
That honey mask seems so interesting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!