I feel like I just wrote my August Favorites the other day - it’s crazy how quickly the second half of the year is flying by after the first half dragged on forever. This month I saw an extreme improvement in my mental health after going off my birth control pills for the first time in nine years, and I think it showed in how I started putting more effort into how I presented myself - I started really finding my true personal style in terms of fashion, and I also started wearing more makeup again. It seems like this month I’ve really started to feel confident in myself.
Indie Lee Clearing Mask
I bought this mask at the end of July to hopefully help the breakouts I was expecting from stopping birth control pills. Fingers crossed, but they haven’t actually been too bad. I’ve still been loving this mask as a once-a-week treat to get my skin feeling super clean and fresh. It’s a thick cream texture that uses salicylic and glycolic acids to remove dead skin cells, bentonite clay and colloidal sulfur to draw out impurities, and chamomile and red seaweed extracts to keep the skin soothed and hydrated. I normally avoid using clay masks too often because they leave my skin feeling dry and tight even days later, but this one doesn’t. It never totally dries down on my face before I wash it off, which I think is the key. On the occasion I have had some blemishes pop up on my chin, I’ve noticed this mask literally flattens them by the next day. I’ve been so impressed, and I even squeezed out a bit into a small sample pot to have my sister try it out, too.
Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream
I didn’t really need a new eye cream, but I ended up grabbing this much-raved-about one during the Dermstore sale when I ordered the Indie Lee mask. This has blown all my other daily eye creams out of the water. I’ve been sleeping quite terribly lately (the dogs have started waking me up every half hour from 3am-5am almost every night), but this is keeping me looking wide awake and healthy. It uses an advanced complex of PSP growth factors to help cells’ ability to rejuvenate the skin, aiding with wrinkle reduction and firmness. I’m only 28, but I was noticing some fine lines under my eyes at the beginning of the summer (which my concealer kept creasing into), but now they’re totally gone after about a month and a half of consistent use. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin and antioxidants for protection against environmental stressors. It’s just a simple-feeling, hydrating eye cream that sits well under makeup and has been really making a subtle but noticeable (to me) difference. Worth the price tag for sure!
Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
This is another pricey product that I think is 100% worth the money (It’s worth noting that this was sent to me by the brand, but I will without a doubt repurchase with my own money when it runs out!). Formerly their “All-Day Pollution Repair Mask,” I simply use this as my daily moisturizer, and it’s become my favorite one to reach for. The texture is absolutely beautiful - a perfect midpoint between rich and lightweight as well as between velvety and glossy. It contains peptides, brighteners, antioxidants, and repairing ingredients to heal damage, tighten, hydrate, and brighten the skin. I’ve noticed a difference in how “bouncy” and smooth my skin feels lately, and I’m attributing it to this. Despite containing such a powerhouse group of ingredients, it feels incredibly gentle and soothing - I’ve had another bout of eczema on my eyelids this month, and this is one of the only products that hasn’t caused any stinging. It’s helped with irritation and redness that comes along with the changing seasons for me, so it’s something I always want to have in my rotation from now on!
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
I had a whole review of the products I tried from Rare Beauty, and I’m still continually impressed with the foundation. It’s incredibly lightweight, like the name suggests, and it has a beautiful natural finish on the skin. My skin just looks totally perfected when I wear this, but it never looks like I’m wearing makeup. It also lasts on me really well, and I’ve noticed it doesn’t rub off into my mask much. I stopped wearing foundation in the spring because I was breaking out from wearing foundation under my mask, but I haven’t had that problem with this foundation. If I had to choose one favorite from the line, it would probably be this!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in ‘Grace’
But if I could choose just one more favorite from the line, it would be the Liquid Blush in ‘Grace.’ I mentioned in my Rare Beauty review that when I was trying the dewy and matte blushes, I assumed the dewy ones would be my preference, but the matte formula as well as the shade ‘Grace’ really captured my heart. It sets down to a powder finish, but it doesn’t look dry whatsoever. Like the foundation, if you have something glowy underneath, that glow will show through, so it doesn’t have to be a true matte finish if you don’t want it to be. These blushes blend effortlessly, though they’re extremely pigmented, so you have to be careful how much you dot on your cheeks before blending. The shade ‘Grace’ is a cool bright pink that seems to be quite similar to my natural flush. It gives me a true “I’ve been frolicking in the snow” look that I really, really love. I could honestly throw out all of my other blushes and only use this one forever.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint
A few months ago, I was skipping lip products and opting for clear lip balms on the daily, simply because I was sick of them all rubbing off inside my masks. But one weekend when I was cleaning out my closet and emptying out my handbags, I found my Victoria Beckham Lip Tint that I had fallen in love with last fall and then promptly forgotten about. I tried it on (I had the original shade, ‘Bisou,’ although there’s now a new shade I love as well!) and instantly fell back in love. It has a thin, gel-like formula that feels cooling on the lips and coats them with a sheer, watercolor-like flush. The shade ‘Bisou’ is described as a nude-berry, which makes it perfect for fall and winter. It’s a really natural-looking berry flush - more “my lips have a natural berry hue,” and less “I’ve just gorged myself on blackberries.” I love that it actually seems to sink into the lips and truly tint them, so the color lasts for hours and never comes off inside my mask. It also never feels drying, it simply feels like I have nothing on my lips. The new shade, ‘Cherie,’ is a warm pink that’s a true “my lips but better” color on me, so I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it and using Bisou when I want something a little more noticeable. It’s truly an incredible formula that I highly recommend!
Madewell Oversized Trucker Jean Jacket
I haven’t even had a chance to wear this jean jacket on more than a couple occasions yet, but I’m already positive it’s going to be a staple in my closet for years. I love a good jean jacket, and when I decided this year that my old (we’re talking over 10 years old) jean jacket was too cropped and fitted, I fell for this oversized version instead. I ordered it online, a little wary of how it would actually look on me (would it look like too much on my 5’3” frame?), and when I tried it on I was so glad that it fit exactly the way I was picturing. it’s perfectly oversized and not too baggy, and I’ll still have room to fit long-sleeve shirts and sweaters underneath when the weather cools down. It’s a really nice, sturdy denim that has good structure but still feels comfortable. Catch me wearing this with every outfit this fall.
Allbirds Wool Runners in ‘Natural White’
I just did a whole post that was pretty much an ode to my new Allbirds, so obviously they’re a favorite for the month. They’re comfortable, versatile, and they’ve been the shoes I’ve worn the most all month. I’m so glad I filled the “sleek white sneaker” gap in my closet with these, and I’m even eyeing the gray shade now.
Target ‘A New Day’ Tank Tops
I’ve been getting more into upgrading my wardrobe with higher-quality pieces lately, but I got a few of these basic tank tops from Target recently, and they’ve become such a staple! I wear them all the time. I love how it has the slight halter-ish neckline (if you’re wearing a normal bra the straps will show), and they’re really soft and comfortable. I already stained one of mine with bacon grease while cooking last week, but since they’re so cheap I don’t mind just picking up another one next time I’m at Target.
J.Crew Striped V-Neck Cardigan
I got this cardigan during the same J.Crew sale as my slip skirt, and I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it yet! I’m all about a cardigan in the fall. This one is a great medium weight and has a boxy cut that I love. I find it looks good both worn open and buttoned up, and the cream and navy stripe is such a good combination I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of. I instantly feel more pulled-together when I throw this on over a t-shirt and jeans, and I can’t wait to wear it with a pair of corduroys for an even more “fall-y” vibe.
What were your favorites in September?
This post contains affiliate links.