My Most Loved & Hated Products in July
I’m constantly testing new makeup and skincare products. There are new beauty launches every day and products I haven’t yet had a chance to try. I test products so you don’t have to, and I hope it helps you make better buying decisions.
This month, I tried some great beauty products that worked well for me, and I’m excited to share them with you.
So today let’s take a look at the skincare, makeup, and fashion products that worked and didn’t work for me over the past month.
My Most Loved Products in July
Smashbox Always on Mood Board Eye Shadow Palettes
Smashbox makes one of my favorite face palettes, so when they launched these mini eyeshadow palettes, I couldn’t resist trying them. I have Fiery Vibes and Cozy vibes and have been impressed by the quality and pigmentation. The mattes and shimmers apply smoothly, are pigmented yet buildable, and are easy to work with. They also barely have any fallout!
Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush
These liquid blushes have had a lot of hype lately. Temptation got the best of me, and I’m glad it did! I purchased the shade Future, which is a warm coral. The formula of this liquid blush is unique; it’s a thin, fluid, serum-like formula that plumps your skin with hydration and gives a watercolor, airbrush-like effect. You only need one drop for diffused, flattering color, so the bottle will last a while. I like this so much more than I anticipated, and I plan on getting more shades!
Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Water Fit Sun Serum with SPF 50+
This fantastic daily Korean sunscreen option doesn’t irritate my sensitive acne-prone skin. For my combo skin, this functions well as a moisturizer and an SPF product all in one. But if you have drier skin, you may want to apply a thin layer of moisturizer first. It has a thin, liquid consistency that spreads and blends easily and doesn’t leave a white cast. After applying, it has a dewy appearance. But once you let it absorb for a few minutes, it leaves a natural skin finish that’s not matte or dewy. It wears well under makeup and feels lightweight. I’m continually impressed with how cosmetically elegant Asian sunscreens are, and this one is no exception!
EltaMD Sunscreens
This is a familiar favorite, but I wanted to let you know that one of my long-time favorite mineral sunscreen brands, EltaMD, is on sale at Dermstore. They have various sunscreens for your particular skintype and are constantly recommended by skincare experts and dermatologists. Use code CHEERS to save 20% for a limited time here:
MAC Glow Play Cushiony Blush
These blushes have been on the market for a while, and as a blush lover, I’m unsure why I haven’t tried them until now. But I’m glad I finally did! I purchased the shade Cheer Up—a beautiful, peachy, glowy shade perfect for summer. The blush itself has a cushiony texture, which allows you to apply it with your fingers or a brush. It is a fail-proof sheer blush with a buildable formula that gives a pretty light-from-within glow.
Ravie Beauty Effortless Lips
Ravie Beauty launched three new shades to their Effortless lip line, which I’ve loved since they launched. If you haven’t tried these, they’re sheer, buildable lipstick/gloss/ balm hybrids that feel cushiony and lightweight. They hydrate and smooth with the perfect amount of shine and fade evenly, so there’s nothing unflattering left behind. They’re pretty on their own or mixed together. Plus, you can wear them sheer or build up the pigment easily. I love all six shades and have been reaching for the three new ones often!
Anablue Scalp Cleanser
This is my favorite scalp exfoliator detox cleanser that also calms and soothes my scalp! Thanks to its nutrient-dense formula, it provides a spa-like experience that quickly lathers into a rich foam and beautiful fragrance. It’s also enriched with pink Himalayan sea salt minerals, which help gently exfoliate the scalp and remove impurities and buildup. I’ve shared this before, but I wanted to mention it again because I now have a discount code for you!
Get 15% off your Anablue purchase with code: STEPHANIEMARIE15
LEDDA Candles
This past month, LEDDA launched two new candles to go along with their fragrances. I have 22 Orris (LEDDA’s original scent) and 18 Vanilla Nera. Not only do these smell heavenly, but they look and feel ultra-luxurious, making them perfect for gifting. They’re also vegan, cruelty-free, and have a soy wax blend. One thing I noticed about these is that there is no label on the jar to tell the scents apart. So if you no longer have your box or the top insert and are unfamiliar with LEDDA’s scents, you may not remember which scent to re-order. So hold onto the little card or the box! It’s a minor thing, but I wanted to make that note.
Avara Harley Romper
I have a long torso, so finding rompers and jumpsuits can be difficult. But this one is a favorite of mine this summer! It’s easy to throw on and take off and looks cute no matter how you style it. I wore this romper when I was in NYC this past month with my daughter, and it was comfy for nonstop walking and has been outstanding in warm weather.
Avara Hadley Romper
I also grabbed this romper to have a fun print in my wardrobe. The material is very lightweight, and it has a classic button-down styling with a tie waist, giving it a flattering silhouette. Such a great option for every day!
AGOLDE Long Parker Shorts
Jean shorts are a wardrobe staple but I always struggle to find a pair that is a little bit longer without looking frumpy. I kept seeing these over and over as I was hunting, but the price was holding me back. I finally broke down and ordered two washes to try out, thinking I’d return one. But I ended up loving both so much that I kept both pairs. They fit in my wardrobe seamlessly and I’ve been wearing them non-stop since getting them!
Jewelry Pieces
I picked up a few new jewelry pieces from one of my favorite brands. I’ve been wearing the gold Weave Disc Studs and matching necklace nonstop this month. They’re perfect for everyday wear and instantly elevate the most casual outfits. Dean Davidson also launched a new enamel collection, so I added my all-time favorites that I have in gold – the Sol Huggie Hoops and Dune Mini Pendant – in coral enamel to my collection. The color is beautiful for summer.
If you’re a first-time buyer of Dean Davidson jewelry, save 15% on your first purchase with code: STEPHANIEMARIE15.
My July Product Fails
Milani Cheek Kiss Blush Stick
The original Milani Luminoso powder blush has been a best seller for years for good reason. People love it because it’s flattering on light to medium skin tones and easy to work with. When I saw it was available in stock form, I got my hands on it quickly. Unfortunately, the stick version has a creamy, sticky, tacky texture that doesn’t blend as quickly as other stick blushes I own. Because of this, it requires a lot of blending that can wind up patchy. Once it’s fully blended out, much of the pigmentation is lost, resulting in more of a faint sheen rather than color. Here are some blush options to try instead!
Charlotte Tilbury Icon Baby Lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury’s Icon Baby lip liner is one of my favorite lip liners. Until recently, I didn’t realize there was a lipstick to accompany it. I grabbed this lipstick last month and instantly fell in love with it since it’s her KISSING formula, which is creamy and flattering. But after wearing it a few times, the bullet felt a little scratchy, and I noticed micro glitter on my lips after it faded. I was highly disappointed. If it didn’t have microglitter, it would be the perfect creamy pinky/brown neutral!
Too Faced Disco Crush Glitter Eye & Face Sparkle
I’ve had really nice luck with products from Too Faced lately, so I was excited to try this multi-functional eye and face sparkle. Unfortunately, it was a fail for me. It’s described as creamy but the shades I tried have a dry, chalky texture. I also get way more chunky glitter fallout from these than from similar products I enjoy. They also cost a lot for the price. Instead, consider Urban Decay Moon Dust, Colour Pop Super Shock, or Catrice Space Glam.
What I’ve Been Watching
I recently finished watching The Americans, which I had heard about for years but never watched. I could tell that I’d be really into this critically acclaimed spy drama after watching the first few minutes of the pilot and it did not disappoint. The Americans was created by a former CIA agent-turned-author, which I think is what makes it so good. It’s set during the Cold War and follows two Soviet KGB spies in an arranged marriage, posing as a typical married couple living with their children in a suburb of Washington, D.C.
The costumes, music, and acting are so good! It aired for six seasons, from 2013 to 2018, and has one of the best series finales I’ve ever seen. You can see a trailer and stream it on HULU.
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This made choosing products much easier