August Favorites

September 01, 2015 in Makeup, Skincare

Fun fact: the very first post on my blog was my August Favorites from last year. Yes, Beauty by Kelsey turns 1 year old tomorrow! (Keep an eye out for a special bonus post tomorrow.) This month I had to really narrow down the favorites so this post wouldn't end up becoming my first novel. There were so many new beauty discoveries for me this month, so you know what's included here really is the best of the best.

Starting with my favorite base product of the month, it should come as no surprise that I'm including the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. I've written about it in my most recent Makeup Lately post, and also in my Your Skin But Better post, so I'll keep the formal reviewing brief. I'll just say that this stuff is magical. It packs a good whack of coverage but looks and feels like you've got nothing on your face. Being a constant suffer-er of dry/dehydrated skin, this is nourishing enough to not go cakey or dry on me, but since it sets down to a satin finish I'd imagine it would still be quite suitable for someone with oilier skin than me.

I've found another mascara love this month, and I featured it in my "True Life: I Only Wear Drugstore Mascaras" post. The Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara is just a great basic all-rounder. It really naturally beefs up the lashes, giving you a really nice, fluffy/fluttery look that I've been enjoying on an everyday basis. I haven't worn any other mascaras since I got this one early in the month, when I'm typically rotating through my collection almost every day.

As you know, I'm totally obsessed with highlighters. It's one of the only areas of my makeup collection that I just can't resist adding to. This month my most worn has been the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop. It gives the most brilliant glow to the skin that makes you look so dewy and healthy. The formula is buttery soft and oh-so-pigmented - it's enough to get me lusting after the other shades in the line.

The lipstick I've been reaching for most often this month has been the Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in Role Play. This goes perfectly with the lipliner in Prim(rose) that I mentioned in my July Favorites for a dusty pink nude lip. It's not as sheer as the name makes it sound - in fact, it is quite pigmented and opaque. It leaves a lovely sheen on the lips and feels so comfortable. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous as well - I like that the case is a nude shade rather than the black of the normal line, and it has a really satisfying magnetic closure.

Another lip favorite this month has been the Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom. I was obsessed with the original balm, so when I heard they came out with a coconut-scented version I was all over it. It smells amazing, truly like a day at the beach, and it's still got the most amazing formula for nourishing the lips, cuticles, and any other dry bits you would want to take care of.

Lastly is a rekindled love for my favorite fragrance from last summer. I've been applying the Chloé Eau de Parfum daily this month and I don't know why I ever wore anything else. I think this is really going to be my signature scent. It smells really floral, but not in an overpowering, powdery way. It just smells like fresh-cut roses. I happened to throw this on one day early in the month and my boyfriend complimented it, so naturally I kept reaching for it all month.

Thanks for sticking around if you're still reading, isn't it crazy that there were so many more products I wanted to mention? What were your favorite products this month?

Current Skincare Loves #4

August 29, 2015 in Skincare

It’s been a few months since my last Current Skincare Loves post because after my huge skincare extravaganza/buying spree this past spring I was just working my way through and testing those products. Recently though, I’ve gotten a couple new things I’ve been loving along with a product I’ve had for a few months but am only just now realizing how much I love it.

Starting with the oldest product in my collection, I’ve been absolutely loving the Glossier Soothing Face Mist. I got this back in February - winter isn’t really the prime time for testing out face mists, so I thought this was nice enough, but wasn’t doing any cartwheels or anything. But come summertime, I have become addicted to this. I use it every morning after cleansing (it really wakes you up), and then I throw it into my work bag to be able to spritz it up throughout the day. It’s got rosewater, aloe, and glycerin in it, so it feels so nice and really nourishing on the skin. This has been great when feeling overheated as it really does calm and soothe the skin. And I’m a sucker for anything containing rosewater/roses - it takes so much of the redness out of my skin.

Going in order of application, my next current favorite is the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. I had heard so many raves about this, so I just had to see what the fuss was about. It really works to hydrate the skin and for me it sinks in quickly without getting sticky. Serum is a step I never really skip, and this one has slotted into my routine nicely. I also really like the scent as well - it reminds me of something nostalgic, but I can’t think of what!

Lastly is probably the thing I was most excited about when I got it, the Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream. I was realizing I didn’t really have a good moisturizer for day to day, and I was getting sick of trying to slather on my night moisturizer in the morning before applying makeup. I finally bit the bullet and parted with my cash for the Goat Milk Cream and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. It really is probably my favorite moisturizer I’ve ever tried. It does an amazing job at plumping up and moisturizing the skin, and I’m always surprised at how smooth my skin feels after using it - since it has goat milk in it (obviously), it also contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates the skin. It feels really lightweight and sinks in easily without being greasy, and yet it keeps my skin feeling moisturized all day long. My skin has been loving this and drinking it up lately, and I already know it will be worthy of a repurchase.

What skincare products have you been loving lately?

The Pretty Pink Mask Duo

August 20, 2015 in Skincare

As you may have seen in my Beauty Haul from last weekend, I recently picked up a couple new masks for myself. I’d been using sample sizes of the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay and the Fresh Rose Face Mask (I got the 15th Anniversary version for the most beautiful packaging I've ever seen) for awhile, and once they ran out I began really missing both from my routine. After picking up the full size of each I’m here to let you know why they’re even better together.

Let’s start with the Origins mask, or as it will now be known, the only clay mask for me. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but the from the first time I used this, I knew I’d be casting all other clay masks aside. My skin is mostly normal with the tendency to get dehydrated, but all other clay masks I’ve tried have left my skin feeling uncomfortably tight and dry. Because this mask uses the gentler rose clay and aims to brighten the skin as well as purify, this is the most comfortable clay mask I’ve ever used. It also contains little jojoba beads to help exfoliate the skin. After using this mask I’m left with brighter, smoother skin, and I’ve noticed this mask has helped with a few pesky breakouts I’ve been having at the moment.

After the Retexturing Mask, I’ve really been loving using the Fresh Rose Face Mask. Now, I’ll admit I only stumbled upon this combination because I liked how pretty the two products looked next to each other, but they really go hand in hand. After the exfoliating and purifying mask, my skin is ready for a big hit of moisture - once the first mask has sloughed off all the dead skin, my skin is ready to fully absorb whatever I use next. The Fresh Rose Face Mask feels so incredibly soothing and nourishing on the skin, and that’s because there’s not only pure rosewater in the mask but real rose petals, too. It smells absolutely heavenly (if you like the smell of roses) and just feels so relaxing to put on. This mask also has cucumber extract and aloe vera in it to really help calm and soothe redness and inflammation. It really is the perfect mask to put on in the summer heat, but it’s one I’ll definitely reach for in the winter when my skin is parched, too.

I’m a big fan of multi-step masking, and these two masks are really just a perfect fit for one another. After having a nice little pamper session and using both masks, you’ll be left with the most glowing, soothed, and healthy-looking skin. It’s hard for me to not use this combination every day!

Have you tried either of these masks?