MAY FAVORITES

Summer vibes guys. Finally. This time last year I was boating around the Amalfi Coast (take me back cause I'm too pale at the moment), but this May has been super super busy and chock full of Manhattan madness. May's typically a funky month for fashion (you begin with pants and end with short shorts) but the much needed sun makes this time of year so refreshing. This May,  I tried a ton of new and cool products that I've ended up LOVING! So without further ado, let's get into it, shall we?

Beauty

01. Mac Melon- An oldie but GOODIE. So fun fact, I was introduced to this pigment back in my senior year of high school when I got my makeup done for my senior prom. I had this beautiful almost neon-colored coral dress made by Jesus Estrada (Project Runway Season 7), and I wanted a shimmery eye makeup pigment that would really compliment the dress, but still stand out and accentuate my brown eyes. My Mac girl swatched this for me and I've never looked back since. This iridescent pinky-corally-gold is simply the most decadent Springy/Summer shadow I've EVER laid my eyes on. For those familiar with Mac, this is basically the Rubenesque paint pot (which is also to die for) in powder form. PRO TIP: I love foiling this and placing it on my lids. I've ranted about my love for foiling pigments before on KQ, but they're especially amazing in the summer to really get the shadow to last all day in the heat and sunlight. 

QUICK & Basic Guide to Foiling a Pigment //

Simply spray a flat shader brush with a makeup setting/fixative spray (I use Mac's Fix+). Tap and mix the wet brush into the powder to achieve a creamy consistency and place it on your lids. And, DONE!

02. Mac Copper Strip- There's not much else I love more beside a good chubby eye pencil, especially one that is beach friendly. Mac's Copper Strip came out a few years ago in one of their summer collections, and its been a staple in my summer makeup bag since. It's a chubby power chrome liner that's soft to the touch and leaves a gorgeous coppery-brown finish. This is great for  defining the lower lash line and will most certainly survive the heat.  

03. theBalm 'Hot Mama'- I looked back into my favorites before adding this one this month to see if I've ever talked about it before, and I don't think I have! Not only do I adore theBalm's packaging, this color is absolutely beautiful. With gold flecks of shimmer, the blush is mainly a pigmented corally-pink, and I'd actually say it could probably work as a dupe for Mac's Springsheen pretty well. 

04. Mac Prep & Prime Lips- Ok, so I'm the first to say that as soon I got into makeup, the first thing I never really understood was primer. I pretty much was convinced all primers were gimmicky and not worth it except for eyeshadow ones. This soon changed when I actually started trying face primers as well like Porefessional and Smashbox, but lip primer?! Can't you just use chapstick? The answer is, well yes, but I've been converted. Miss Lindsey (and a Mac girl) recommended this to me, and I was pretty impressed. Although it looks like chapstick, it actually feels very different, and rather then a heavy consistency, it's actually extremely light. It also doesn't feel greasy or too much, it's just the right about of moisture to keep your lipstick on all day. I really dig it and it's become my go to every day since I purchased it. 

05. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover- GUYS. Seriously, I cannot believe I haven't added this to my favorites (ever, I think). This product is secretly gold, and I've been using it for years. It totally is one of those products that sits on my vanity next to other various potions and sometimes can be forgotten, but I recently ran out and went to buy a new one, and my love for it was sparked once again. Eye makeup removers are pretty terrifying, cause nobody likes their eyeballs burning off (I tried one from the Body Shop once and it literally made my eyes burn for hours). This one, on the other hand, is sooooo gentle and feels amazing. Next to Bioderma, this is my second favorite liquid eye makeup remover, and you can buy it at "Targét", after all. 

06. Clean & Clear Blotting Sheets- It's that time of year again ladies & gents, when combination or oily skin makes you super shiny throughout the hot summer days. These have been my saving grace for a few summers now. You'll never leave your house without 'em. 

Smell-Good Stuff

07. Elizabeth and James White Rollerball- Even though I still swear by Nirvana Black, I got this as gift from a Sephora VIB perk, and I thought it was the perfect little bottle for my purse. I do own the bigger rollerball tubes of White & Black, but I really love the compactness of this little one. I kinda want the mini black one now. 

08. St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash- Ironically (or not so ironically) this body wash was in my favorites last May, because I used the travel size when I was traveling around Italy. You know when a certain smell reminds you of a place? Yeah, for me, this smell reminds me of summer and Italy. I do think this bottle is way too big, but by the amount I've managed to use in a few days, I think I'll be able to finish it quickly. It's just glorious and basically my summer scent. That is all. 

09. Bumble+Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner- As another nod to Sephora, I received travel size versions of these via the VIB perks. Needless to say, I liked them so much I went to purchase the regular-sized versions. I've used Bumble+Bumble before (LOVE their Sea-Salt Spray), but I've never delved into their shampoos and conditioners, but I'm so glad I did. My hair is less frizzy, extremely less knotted, and looks a lot healthier and stronger since I've been using these. 

Miscellaneous

10. These Stickers C/O Brandy Melville- If you've ever been to a BM, you'd know that at the front checkouts they usually have piles of stickers that people can take. Obsessed with these Emoji/ Snapchat inspired ones. And donuts. 'Nuff said. 

LOOKBOOK& clips from this month 

[clips mainly of Lindsey and I shopping, and I got a little carried away with kaleidoscope effects but I kinda dig it... whoops;)] 

happy summer my loves.

"We know what we are, but not what we may be"

[Hamlet 4.5]

Cheers, xoxoxo