AUGUST FAVORITES

And with this, summer has just about come to a close (well, minus the fact that I think the last day of summer is at the end of September, but unfortunately our human calendar doesn't quite fit this schedule). I've had the most bomb August, finishing up my weekly work at the brand new Lala HQ, and having a little relaxation time up in the Adirondacks (an annual ritual). August also introduced to me some more exciting opportunities, as I have begun work as a digital editorial intern at Harper's Bazaar, (specifically, that's BAZAAR.com, for you who have asked). There, I've been learning the ins & outs of a well established and quite massive, at that, digital fashion publication. And to my fellow bloggers and Lala ladies, if digital journalism is the route you are interested in, you already have a leg up with the skills you learn in Blogger and Wordpress. It's actually incredible how much you will be using those very skills (as a point of encouragement from me to you). But I digress, this post is all about the products I've been obsessed with this month, and as per usual, we have some newbees and some old goodies to get through. So without further ado.... 

Beauty 

01. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light, $36, sephora.com :: Well, well, well. I've had my eye on this product ever since I've been using the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, as I knew that that formulation was perhaps not the best choice for my skin. See, all through high school I had extremely dry (and decently good, at that) skin. Once I made the big move to Manhattan, I noticed that my skin changed. I now consider myself as someone with combination skin, but more on the oily side, especially during the hotter months. The Photo Finish Light is meant for oily skin, and was actually a wonder-worker for me in this very hot month of August. My guess is that it is nearly the same formulation as the regular, just not as heavy. And it's paraben free, of course. Definitely a recommendation if you have moderate-oily skin.  

02. Mac Gold Mode, $22, maccosmetics.com :: I couldn't find the exact pigment online, as this was a limited addition kind back from one of the holiday collections a few years ago, but Mac's gold is quite similar, and could be used as a dupe. Not only did I describe the magic of what you can do with loose shadows in this Lala post (nail polish, anyone?), I always find myself going back to them because of the power they possess. Gold Mode is a gorgeous goldy-peach, and has been perfect for all over the lid color this month. I tend to wear less eye makeup makeup in the summer, so it's awesome to just swipe this on with a little eyeliner and call it a day. 

03. Benefit Bella Bamba, $28, benefit.com :: Ahhhhh, SUCH an oldie. So I got this blush back in like, oh geez, when I was first getting into makeup, maybe 2009? 2010? Today, I'm under the impression that it's actually discontinued (sad) but I believe you can probably find it on Amazon (yay?) if you're not afraid to purchase makeup on Amazon, that is. It's literally the only blush in my collection that screams AUGUST to me, it's like this perfect blend of watermelony pink with purple undertone and some orange sparkle, and I always use it during the summertime. I'd say Mac's Springsheen is a descent dupe for this (as it's highly pigmented and has orangey sparkle too,) but you'd probably have to mix it with a purple undertoned blush to really make it Bella Bamba approved. 

04. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine, $22, sephora.com :: One of my favorite moisturizing lip butters of all time, let me tell you. This was perfect for me all month while hitting the beach and the pool, for it keeps your lips super moisturized. It's made of all natural oils and is free of all that chemical garbage, and it smells out of this world. I also adore the "Pomegranate" scent, and that actually adds a nice red tint to your lips, also another perfect addition to the summery lip balm. 

05. NARS Cruella, $26, nars.com :: This velvet matte lip pencil is exactly how it sounds. I received a mini version of this in some sort of points perk (yay Sephora), and I actually was hesitant to use it until I met one of my friends out and she was sporting this color absolutely flawlessly! I tried it and have not gone back. It's a really cool red, very different than the reds I usually wear, its a bit deeper and has a slight purple undertone which is really different. I think it's the perfect transition lip color into darker shades, like deep purples and browns, which I love to sport over fall and winter months. 

06. Sephora Oil-in-Gel Lipstick Remover, $5, sephora.com :: If you haven't purchased this yet, you NEED TO, (also, it's only $5 now). I'm actually thinking of buying another tube to stock up. I'm obsessed with this lipstick remover, because it gets the job done perfectly every time. Miss Lindz introduced me to this fab product, and I haven't gone back ever since. Seriously, this is a must-buy, now. 

07. Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Mini Roller, set $25, sephora.com :: Thank you Sephora, for saving me this $25. I got the baby white rollerball back in July as a point perk, and what do you know! August seemed to be the month for the baby black rollerball point perk gift. So, I now have both, and I love to alternate them in my bag. As I've talked about many a time before, the black is my favorite, so I've obviously been using this one a lot more. (fun fact, not only did I meet Mary Kate & Ashley at their launch for these fragrances, it was revealed that they spent three years making the black perfume and only a few months on the white!)

Body / Miscellaneous

08. The Righteous Butter, $4, soapandglory.com :: Another must-buy!! This mini-version comes on every trip with me, whether it's just spending the night in Manhattan or traveling out of the country: I've always brought this baby a long. It's just a glorious and really cheap moisturizer that smells amazing and looks adorable. What more could you want? P.S I love Hand Food too, of course. 

09. DVF Sun & Moon Candles :: Gifted to me by Ms. Lindsey Marie (who just finished her summer internship at DVF, and is now gallivanting around Disney World as a member of DCP, while also saving lives at Typhoon Lagoon), these are the DVF Sun & Moon candles that seem to be no longer found anywhere online (limited addition, most likely). They both smell absolutely scrumptious and very DVF (as you would assume they should), and I've been madly burning them since I got them from her back in early August. I prefer the Moon scent (its a bit cologney, darker) as opposed to the Sun scent (its lighter and happier), just because of my aesthetics, but both are individually amazing, and they also compliment each other nicely.

AND FINALLY, CLIPS FROM THIS MONTH + KQ OUTFITS!

"Have more than thou showest

Speak less than thou knowest"

[Lear 1.4]

Cheers, xoxox