Beauty: Recent Purchases.

 I've been pretty boring with my makeup lately but I have managed to buy a couple of new things I'm happy with, after doing a thorough makeup bag clean-out in which I tossed a lot of old crap. Marianne would be proud of me! She's always horrified at my using makeup that's more than, like, four days old. ANYWAY. I wanted a new cream blush and had heard great things about Rare Beauty Soft Pinch so I trotted over to Sephora and checked it out. I wanted a color that would give me a really natural flush and ended up with this:

This stuff is kind of amazing, y'all. The color is super natural, little goes a long way and it STAYS PUT. I am really impressed! It's also not crazy expensive, which I appreciate. I'll definitely be checking out more from this brand. (What can't Selena Gomez do?)

I should also mention that I got a deluxe sample of the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm and I really like it. It does an amazing job of removing makeup and sunscreen and felt really good. I don't know that I'll rush to replace the balm I'm currently using, but this one is a contender. 

I threw away my old makeup sponge and bought a new one by Real Techniques, a brand Marianne told me about. They're way less expensive than Beauty Blender and they work exactly the same. Before this I'd been using a sponge from Wander Beauty, maker of my favorite mascara, and it's quite good too. I mean, they're all just lil sponges. I do find that Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap works wonderfully when cleaning makeup brushes and sponges, which I think I've mentioned before. 

I recently impulse-purchased this set of metal face thingies and I am not sure this was something I truly needed in my life, but they're kind of fun? The big ball roller thing feels really nice and I use the smaller one to apply eye cream - it feels soothing and seem to help de-puff a bit. It was mostly a stupid purchase for things I didn't really need, but if you want a frivolous treat, you could do worse. Oh, also! I use the spoony ends to scoop out products that come in tub form - my eye cream and Jones Road foundation, specifically. It's much nicer than dipping my fingers in and getting crap under my fingernails. Bleh.

And finally! I ordered a sample kit from Riddle Oil and I've been having a great time with it. You get a little rollerball bottle of all seven of their scents in a very fancy little box and I honestly like most of them a lot. The Original and the Sphinx are a little confusing because they're only base notes - this means they don't smell like anything until you put them on your skin and wait a bit for them to activate. (They explain it with too many words here.) Anyway, they're all very subtle and wearable. Also, you can get $10 off your first order through my link! (full disclosure: I also get $10 credit.) I can't test to see if this discount works on the sample sets, so let me know if you try it! 

Summer Beauty: What's On My Face.

I haven't done this in a while! I did a review back in the spring and talked about a few new products I was using, but I haven't done a run-down on daytime summer skincare and makeup. For skincare, this is my first step right after I wash my face in the morning:

I know I've talked about this serum before but I'm on my third bottle and I still love it. It's just a perfect calming/hydrating first step. I apply my Avene moisturizer on top, wait for that to all settle then my favorite sunscreen. 

For foundation, I have rediscovered my love of It Cosmetics CC cream! It's really good stuff with a beautiful finish if you use a light touch. (Yes, it has SPF 50 but I never put enough on for it to really be effective as sunscreen.) For a more polished all-day look, I have been using this:

I bought this Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder foundation last fall and it's really good stuff. Very light and has a nice, natural finish. It doesn't crease and lasts all day. Honestly though, sometimes I just skip foundation altogether and hit my under eye and other dark bits with this Touche Éclat High Cover pen:

I reviewed it back in May but it's still in heavy rotation! It's basically, the Touche Eclat highlighter with some actual coverage and it's a favorite now and I don't even care that it's a rip-off. I DON'T CARE IT MAKES ME GLOW OKAY?

For my eyes, I've been using a few quick swipes of Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Strapless on my lid and this bronze Pixi eyeliner I got from Target that's totally a dupe for UD 24/7. For mascara, I bought the Wander Beauty Upgraded Lashes serum mascara and it's okay:

It's perfectly fine but does tend to flake on me. I think their Unlashed Volume mascara is WAY better and still my #1 favorite and I'll probably go back to that when this one dries out. Finally, for lips I've been using the Ilia balm (reviewed the whole kit here) which is great to throw in your bag. If I want a glossy, summery look, however, I've been loving this:

It's bareMinerals Mineralist Lip Gloss Balm in Sincerity, which is a "your lips but better" kinda color. It's not groundbreaking or life-changing but it is a really nice lipgloss in a subtly pretty and wearable color. 

That's my summer face! Now please enable me by telling me about the product you can't live without.

Beauty Review: A Few Recent Purchases.

It's been a little while since I talked about makeup and stuff, so here are a few recent purchases that I'm pretty into:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat High Cover Radiant Under-Eye Concealer
This was an in-store impulse purchase and I expected it to disappoint because I've tried the original Touche Éclat a few times (yes, I bought it more than once expecting a different result) and it never did much for me. But now they have a version that's actually a concealer but it also has brightening qualities and y'all, this stuff is GOOD. Its stupidly priced for what you get, but a little goes a long way and it brightens and conceals beautifully. I like to use a light hand and especially hit all those spots that need a bit of light - the corners of my eyes, the top of my cheekbone, under my bottom lip and my cupid's bow. On days when I don't care about looking made up, I just use this and some mascara and call it done. It works WAY better than the original formula and the finish is lovely. 

Jones Road What The Foundation
I posted about ordering this recently and it arrived and I'm...medium on it. It's feels very comforting on the skin but it's thick and you really need a light hand or it starts to feel cakey and heavy. When applied correctly, it disappears and feels quite moisturizing. It's a nice non-foundation foundation if you have dry skin (I do) and I've been using it daily to see how it wears. One surprise - it has a strong (but not  unpleasant) scent that I wasn't expecting and it takes a while to dissipate. Not a dealbreaker but it seems unnecessary. 

Dior Addict Shine Lipstick in Pink Bow

I finally just caved and ordered another color of my favorite Dior Addict Shine lipstick - this one is called 628 Pink Bow and it's the perfect "your lips but better" shade on me. I'm assuming it's popular because it was sold out in both Nordstrom locations I tried. It's just a lovely, moisturizing and glossy lipstick with beautiful packaging. If you're looking for a lipstick splurge, this is a good one. 

Method Aluminum Gel Hand Soap - Vetiver + Amber

Okay, this one isn't for everyone but if you love interesting warm/woody scents (think Aesop and Le Labo) I highly recommend this hand soap. It smells expensive and is such a nice change from the usual thing. I personally love woody, earthy, amber notes so this is definitely up my alley and the aluminum container looks quite nice. (But why no refill, Method?) The first review on the product page is like, THIS IS DISGUSTING which made me laugh and also just makes me like it more? I'm ornery. Anyway, I also love this one which I talked about a while ago but again, you have to love an amber note. Don't yell at me if you're a floral person, just leave a bad review on Target. Ha.

Monday Mood: Hair Stuff!

I haven't talked obsessively about my hair for a while and I'm using some new products, so lucky you, I'm gonna talk about them! 

So, I obviously just got my color done and my goal with shampoo is to keep my color as long as possible. I use Hairstory Deep a few times a week and it's really good:

Yes, it's expensive, but it replaces shampoo and conditioner so that's how I justify it. Also, if you're ordering for the first time, get the kit with the head scrubber thingy! Hairstory is non-foaming so you really have to scrub your scalp when you use it (plus it feels great.) I'm cheap and bought my scrubber separately - I'm pretty sure I've talked about it more than once. 

More recently I started using the Hairstory Undressed Texturizing Spray which is great - not sticky or salty but gives that kind of awesome tousled look and it can be layered. I use this on super casual days when I need a little hold. I just use 4-5 sprays on damp hair and style as usual. It's light but still gives my hair a bit of heft. 

NOW, this is what I use when I'm planning on really doing my hair (for blog photos, wild trips to the grocery store, etc.) I bought a travel size of the R + Co Rodeo Star mousse on a whim (an expensive whim) and I LOVE IT SO MUCH. It gives my fine hair a ton of oomph and I always wake up the next morning with a giant sleep-pompador. It's not an everyday use product for me right now, but I super love it and I'm going to buy a full-sized version when it runs out.

Finally, I want to give a shout-out to a really great product I started using again (after finding a dusty bottle of it in my beauty closet): Bumble and bumble Tonic. What's it for? What does it do, exactly? I HAVE NO IDEA but I do know that when I spray it on my damp hair before adding styling products it just makes everything better. I also love how it smells kind of minty, like tea tree oil. PS. I looked it up and it's a detangler/primer. Is it necessary for life? No. Is it nice to have? Absolutely yes. Should I replace my dusty bottle? Probably but let's not tell Marianne. 

Marianne: I was Influenced and Bought Custom Hair Products

Hey friends, Marianne here.

There are many, many things that follow me across the internet, whispering in my ear to buy, buy, buy. Countless (seriously) giant house dresses, fancy candles, low carb cereal, meal boxes, all the bralettes in the world, but one that I clicked on over and over again was Prose custom haircare. BTW, this isn't sponsored, but you know...call me. 

ANYWAY like a lot of us, my hair has been on a real journey in these weird AF times. I still have to look pretty put together for work (yes, even from home), so I am still heat styling my hair like a chump, but for the past couple of summers I got a keratin treatment to help battle the heat and humidity. Obviously that didn't happen this year, so I've been struggling with my hair. Enter Prose. 

After filling out a fun questionnaire, I picked my scent (I went with Perle--white lilac, bergamot, and musk, but you can choose unscented!) and waited a bit for it to be made and shipped. I went for the pre-shampoo mask, shampoo and conditioner, but I skipped the styling oil because I have some pricey products from my salon (this hair serum and this hair oil spray) that I love. I did the mask before showering, then washed and conditioned like usual. Y'all, let me cut to the chase, my hair looks incredible. 

The morning after styling my hair, someone asked on a Zoom call if I had gotten a haircut. Later that day, someone jokingly accused me of getting blowouts during a pandemic. NOPE. Just Prose. Not only did my hair look great that day, it stayed shiny and smooth and held a wave for the next few days. I had a work project outside, in the middle of August, for 8 hours and at the end of the day I didn't have a BIT of frizz. It's truly a miracle. 

Now, I will say the products are pricey and the bottles are small. I have a lot of long, thick, hair so I need 6 pumps of shampoo and conditioner to get the job done. However I also only wash my hair 1-2 times a week, so it will last me a while. And honestly, I've been using Costco shampoo and conditioner for years, so I felt okay treating myself. 

If you want to try it out, I would love it if you used my link--it saves you $10 and gives me a credit so I can continue to maintain this habit! Have you ever tried custom hair products? I have to say I was skeptical but this has proven to be such a treat. 

We Discuss: The Tyranny of Glossier Boy Brow.

M: I know you have Good Brows now but did you ever try Glossier Boy Brow before microblading?

A: No, but I want to. I’ve been using some rando brow gel I got in a box, but it’s pretty much done.

A: I also have Ka-Brow but it’s overkill so I save it for when I am feeling dramatic

M: Yeah I am wanting something more “casual” and I generally think Glossier is bullshit, BUT Tracee Ross used boybrow to give herself a Halloween mustache and it looks really good and realistic

A: People freaking love Boy Brow - the only complaint is that it’s really small

A: I still really like the Glossier cheek stuff I bought

M: Hm I may have to give it a try

A: You know what really works for brows but is much more expensive?

M: Do tell

A: Microblading

M: Dammit

A: Listen, there are days when I have no makeup on but think I look okay and it’s because my brows are Good.

M: Fair

A: You might just have to make two inconvenient trips to Richmond.

M: Sigh

M: So for now, brown or black?

A: I personally would go for brown

A: but you do you

M: Yeah I think so

A: Imma buy some too

A: We can do dueling reviews

M: I’m trying Lidstar too because what the hell

A: right on

M: I mean what could go wrong with green eyeshadow

A: seems legit

M: The taupe would have been safer but I have a ton of taupe eyeshadow so let’s live a little

A: Go for the fun one, absolutely

A: I am going to get the taupe, despite what I just said

***

M: So I tried Boy brow today and I feel like my eyebrows just look messy

M: But Lidstar is great

I really like the Lidstar too - just a pretty sheer wash of shimmery color that STAYS PUT

M: And the sample of cloud paint was good but the wrong color for me

A: I think that might be the thing with Boy Brow is that it gives you full, fluffy boy brows. But yeah, I don't love it either

M: Full I would be fine with, but it doesn’t really fill in the patchy areas and I felt like I had to keep adding to it and I don’t know if it works for me

A: Its fine for what I need but I don’t know that I’m super impressed

M: I might use it on the weekends when I want a little something

A: Ka-Brow is still the best

M: It is

A: I feel like I should come up with a better review of Boy Brow than “eh” but it’s really pretty basic.

M: I just don’t get it. It’s just a brow gel really. It doesn’t fill in anything

A: Are we being gaslighted?

M: I mean WTF

M: These people all have pretty good brows to start with

A: Truly

A: I will definitely use the Boy Brow but it doesn’t do much for the gaps

M: I just want ONE PRODUCT

A: ugh

A: Maybe try Gimme Brow again?

M: Ka-Brow works great I just still need a brow gel with it because my brows are unruly little bitches. Same with any pencil,

A: Ah, gotcha

A: PS. I hate whoever names the products at Benefit

M: heh

A: I feel like I get dumber every time I type them

M: Yeah they are all pretty stupid

M: I still have and use Ka-Brow, and I should just stop looking. It works great!

A: I get it but I am also always looking for Something Better

A: See also: concealers

M: I might return and get Cloud Paint

A: I love Cloud Paint!

M: I liked the sample I tried. Wrong color though. But I have a second color that I think will be good.

A: I have storm and beam

M: I need to check my colors

M: Dusk and dawn

M: Dawn is very pretty but on darker skin

A: Yeah, storm skews a bit more brown than I was expecting but I still like it - more flattering than bronzer!

A: And now I want haze

M: I am optimistic about dusk

***

A: If you're curious and want to try Glossier you can get 10% off your first order with my link. (Full disclosure: if you go through my link I will get a $10 credit and buy more shit to review.)

Beauty Report: Sephora Sale Reviews. Sort of.

Hey there! I bought quite a few things during the recent Sephora VIB sale and, while most were repurchases, I also bought a few new things. Are you dying to know how they worked out? Are youuuu? Too bad I'm telling you anyway. At least for the stuff I've actually bothered to try.

I will admit I made two orders because I had a fair amount of points saved up and right after I made my first order they added a bunch of really good 100 point rewards. Jerks!

My first order:

Repurchased: My foundation, moisturizer, Sunday Riley vitamin C oil

New purchases: 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% - I haven't tried this yet because it smells awful. That is the downside of The Ordinary, I guess. Part of me is like, do I just return this and suck it up and buy Good Genes again? Ugh.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Glow - I love this! It does smell a bit like candy but the scent isn't overpowering. It's just a really nice shimmery peachy-nude lipgloss. It looks great by itself or layered over lipstick. I'm happy with it.

500 point reward:
Caudalie French Natural Favorites - This is a really nice set! I haven't tried any of it yet (though I've used the eye cream before) but I got travel/mini sizes of: VinoPerfect Concentrated Brightening Essence, Premier Cru The Eye Cream, Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, VinoPerfect Radiance Serum

100 point reward: 
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C - this is a favorite of both of ours. Briefly reviewed here.


My second order:

RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation - I was convinced this would be my perfect weekend no-makeup makeup because I love every RMS thing I've tried but, man, I do NOT like this stuff. It basically looks like nothing on but somehow also made me look kind of shiny and haggard? I was so disappointed! I will be returning it and the search for a weekend tinted moisturizer continues.

Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Elizabeth Violet - This is a very good smudgy eyeliner in an unusual color - a kind of rich, smoky purple. I am on a mission to try all the good purple eyeliners and this one is so nice! It does transfer to my upper eyelid, but they all do. I like it as least as much as my favorite liner, UD 24/7 (though they've started discontinuing my favorite colors so I'm mad at them).

100 point rewards: 
Drunk Elephant C-Tang Multivitamin Eye Cream - I've only used this a few times, so the jury is still out. It's fine? I can't ever get too excited about Drunk Elephant.

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil - I've had a sample of this before and really liked it! I love a tiny oil bottle for travel and it's just a really nice product - definitely on par with Sunday Riley.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lipstick - This is... fine. The color I got (Tea Rose) is boring in a work-appropriate way, but that's kinda Bobbi Brown's thing.

Verb Ghost Oil™ - They ran out of this before they shipped my order, which was irritating. Really, it's probably for the best because I have no business putting oil on my hair.

Did you order anything new? What did you like/hate?

Lazy Beauty Reviews: ByTerry, Givenchy, Mally, Davines, Bed Head

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted any kind of beauty review! Marianne posted her beauty and skincare favorites from 2018 but it's been crickets from me. Oops.  I am lazy and forgetful. So here are a few quick reviews for things I've been into lately:

Something that you shouldn't ever do: wander into a Blue Mercury store on a lunch break with no agenda. Those kind, bored sales associates WILL FIND YOU AN AGENDA. I walked out an hour later with a face full of makeup and the By Terry blush thing above. The color is kind of bronzer-y on me and the center circle is a highlighter that you can use separately. It's quite nice and I use it whenever I need a bit of glow. I also bought this concealer pen thingy because I'm a sucker. It's fine but not life-changing.

Y'all know that I really love Davines Minu shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair and this winter I've been using the Davines MINU Hair Serum and I loooove it. The MINU stuff seems to keep my hair shiny and smooth and my color bright. I spray it on when my hair is damp, before styling products.

I posted about this Givenchy powder in Voile Rose which I bought last fall during the Sephora sale. Listen, this is not something you need but if you are feeling splurgy and want something fancy? You could do a lot worse than this powder. It is really freaking nice. The four colors mix in the sifter and you just swirl them on. (I use a brush, not the puff that comes with it.) It smells nice and gives your face a kind of soft-lit finish that's not sparkly at all. Also, the packaging is very expensive and luxe, which I enjoy.

I recently got this little Mally eyeshadow stick in Burnished Bronze and it's SO GOOD. I can put on a lightly and smudge it around for a subtle look or really go to town and get a great bronze smoky eye without much effort. It's so hard to find a non-reddish bronze (red in eye makeup makes my eyes look bloodshot) so I have been delighted with this pen and I want to try more colors!

And one from Marianne:

This isn’t new but I have pulled my Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver back out and it’s been a nice change to my hair. I get lots of compliments! It’s faster than a curling wand and the waves hold really well. I do recommend a heat protectant because it gets pretty hot.


What about you? Any new beauty discoveries?

Beauty Reviews: What I'm Liking Lately.

It's been a while since I talked about new products, so here are some I'm liking (and one I'm not):

Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm - I got a deluxe sample of this balm a while back and it's delightful! It smells like caramel (but isn't overly cloying) and goes on sheer and shiny. It's perfect for helping to sheer out super-pigmented lipstick or just when you want a little something. It's not groundbreaking, but I like it.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream - I bought a big ole tub of this to slather on my sad face and so far, so good. I do not love the tub packaging but I do like that I get a ton of product for the money. It's pretty basic stuff, but quite good and simple. I use this as my top layer at night, and under sunscreen during the day.

CSI Vitamin C + 12% Youth Serum - I've used this on and off for a while but I don't know that I've ever talked about it. Most vitamin C serums break me out but this one doesn't! It's a simple formula (only two ingredients) but very effective and SO inexpensive. If you're in the market for a vitamin C serum, you could do a lot worse.

FAB Facial Radiance Pads - These are really good and cheaper than my favorite PTR Un-Wrinkle Peel pads though not quite as effective. If you're looking for a daily chemical exfoliant that you don't have to rinse off, give these a try! (And if you want a one or twice a week exfoliant, I definitely recommend the Un-Wrinkle pads.)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Champagne Pop) - I got this little highlighting powder in my Allure box and it's so nice! I use it in the corner of my eyes, at the top of my cheekbones and under my eyebrows for a bit of glow. It's definitely sheen-y and not at all glittery and I like that it's slightly gold/peach because white highlighter just makes me look like an aging glittery vampire. (If you don't want to commit to the full-size product, this set is a good deal.)


File Under Meh:

Hairgenics Lavish Lash - I read a glowing review for this lash growth serum on a beauty forum and took advantage of a two-for-one deal. Marianne and I both gave it the old college try and we were both... underwhelmed. I didn't notice any difference at all and neither did she. Booo.

Marianne has had really good results with the Rodan and Fields serum but it's too expensive for me. Do any of you have a lash/brow growth serum you swear by?

Our Favorite Beauty Purchases of 2017

I feel like 2017 was the year where I just used a million sample sizes of everything and didn't actually buy much in the way of new, full-sized products. Despite that, I still have a few stand out favorites from 2017, starting with this one:

I bought the Pixi/Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse last March (review here) and despite thinking it wasn't necessarily a bargain for the amount you get, both cleansers are so freaking good that I just keep buying it again and again. Plus, I love that I can get it at Target. Easy! 

Dermaplaning is the best, y'all. I highly recommend getting it done professionally (so nice) but you can also totally do it yourself. I super love these Shiseido razors - they're dirt cheap and work really well. (Also, apparently they're super absorbent? I think the seller mixed up her copy.) ANYWAY, Marianne loves the Tinkle razors but I wasn't as crazy about them. Either way, you can totally do this. If you need help, watch this video. 

I have tried a lot of different skinny eyebrow pencils over the past year but I always come back to Anastasia Brow Wiz in caramel. It's just the right color - not too red, not too brown, not too ashy and it lasts ALL DAY. I don't know why I even bother with anything else. 

Allllll the Davines. Currently I’m using OI All in One Milk,  Volume Boosting Mousse, and Minu shampoo which keeps my color bright. Basically, I love every Davines product I've tried and want more. It's a problem. They just smell so good and they work well for my hair and I love the packaging. It doesn't hurt that my salon carries the full line. Ugh. 

And here are Marianne's favorites:

After trying several other eyebrow pencils I have come back to Benefit Ka-Brow and my brows have never looked better. When I bought it, it came with a full sized High Brow, which I have never tried for some reason, in spite of having received and given away multiple samples. And y'all! It's good stuff! Makes my brows look crisp and it works as a highlighter for the lazy (i.e. me). 

I switched from my prescription retinol to Differin and that stuff is legit and like $12 at Target, no prescription needed. (Agree! This stuff is the real deal and totally Mean British Lady approved. -A) 

I also decided I wanted to find a signature scent this year and after trying several (including the mystical desert scent I talked about before) I have settled on Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme. Santa (me) put a rollerball of it in my stocking and I'm addicted. On me it's this perfect mix of spicy and warm and a little bit sweet after a few hours and I'm totally going to ask (buy myself) for a full bottle for my birthday. 

That's it! But just in case you want more and have literally nothing better to do, my 2016 beauty favorites are here and Marianne’s are here. 

Adrien: Review Updates.

Sometimes I review something before I've fully tested it which isn't really that helpful. I mean, sure, that awesome sweatshirt is great right out of the box but did it leave grey lint all over every single thing I came in contact with? (Yes, yes it fucking did.) So, today I'm going to revisit some of my initial reviews and give you some updates. Hooray.

Davines OI All in One Milk
I first talked about this product back in May. I used up my little travel bottle and didn't repurchase for no real reason. I just kind of forgot about it. I recently saw it again at my salon and bought it on a whim. Why did I quit it? It's just so good and I think it helps keep my hair looking healthy and gives it a bit of protection as well. It also smells crazy good if you like that kind of thing. I'm hoping it'll help keep the static at bay as the weather gets colder.

My Favorite Sweatshirt 
I still love it and have worn it a lot but oh my god the LINT. It's hard to tell from the photo but the cuffs and hem are the reverse side of the material and, while soft like a little kitten, it also sheds like crazy. I left a trail of grey lint alllll through northern California last week and my Zella leggings were completely covered. UGH YOU GUYS. But...I still love it. It's complicated. (I can't link it because it's sold out, which is fine. I can't really recommend, so maybe just buy this one instead.) And, since we're on the subject, I still SUPER love my Gap french terry joggers, which are 40% off right now.

Those Target Jeggings. Too Soon?
Marianne raved about the jeggings here and I immediately bought a pair though I'll admit I was skeptical. It might be too soon to update since it's only been a few weeks but every single time I wear them I'm all, damn. They are really magical. Snug but not uncomfortable, make my legs look really long, and are somehow the perfect length to wear with ankle boots. Plus, they're dang cheap.

Japanese Sunscreens
Remember when I did a roundup of different Japanese sunscreens? Yeah, well, I pretty much only use the Biore Uv Perfect Face Milk Spf50 these days (unless I'm going to be riding outside, then I use the ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk because it's waterproof.) I didn't consciously start ignoring my tried-and-true options but the Biore just works really well under makeup and doesn't smell or feel sunscreeny. It's the best of the bunch so if you haven't tried a Japanese sunscreen, start with this one. It's really great.



RMS Beauty Oil
I bought this a few months ago with Shopspring* credits and I know I've mentioned it a few times but I just want to tell you guys that this is maybe the nicest face oil I've ever used. It's jojoba oil and some other stuff and smells kinda weird but it feels amazing - it sinks in and makes my skin glow and I don't ever get that weird, tight dry skin feeling later in the day. If you're looking for a good facial oil, this is one I can highly recommend. (*You can use my link for $20 off your first purchase of $75+ plus, which would make the RMS oil almost not expensive!)