July Favorites!
This post is a little late, but here’s my first ever monthly favorites post! The weather has been so cloudy these past few weeks that getting workable photos has been tough.
I tried so many amazing products during the month of July. While I found so awesome new brands, there are some old favorites that also made the list. So many months I don’t feel anything towards the products I tried (or don’t really buy any makeup), but July was definitely an exception.
Skin Products
Nature’s Gate In the Beginning Gentle Cleansing Lotion
Where to Buy: Nature’s Gate [link], Drugstore.com [link]
Price Tag: ~$21 USD
Nature’s Gate is one of my favorite natural brands. They’re products are inexpensive and a great way to show your friends & family that living a green and/or vegan lifestyle can be budget friendly.
The past few years Nature’s Gate has expanded into a higher end skin care line developed for those needing anti-aging products. While the Advanced Care line is definitely less expensive to comparable products, I have an aversion to spending over $16 on any skin care product. And this is why I love T.J.Maxx. I’ve been able to try half of the Advanced Care Line. I bought the cleanser for $8.
The In the Beginning Gentle Cleansing Lotion has a lovely, creamy formula that’s perfect for my skin. It also has a scent that reminds me of the cucumber scented Bath & Body Lotion I used many moons ago before I became vegan. Or maybe it was aloe. I can’t remember. It’s been a long time.
Nature’s Gate Oh What A Night Walnut Therapy
Where to Buy: Nature’s Gate [link], Drugstore.com [link]
Price Tag: ~$26 USD
I would use this moisturizer morning and night, but due to the price, I stick with using it at night. Like the In the Beginning Gentle Cleansing Lotion mentioned above, it has a similar cucumber scent. I also picked this product up at T.J.Maxx for around $8.
Desert Essence Gentle Nourishing Eye Cream
Where to Buy: Desert Essence [link], Drugstore.com [link]
Price Tag: ~$14 USD
I’ve long been a fan of Desert Essence—it was one of the first brands I tried after going vegan. This eye cream is a steal. Not only is it inexpensive, but I’m convinced the jar is never going to run out. Another T.J.Maxx gem I picked up for $8 or so.
Sukin Revitalising Facial Scrub
Where to Buy: Sukin [link]
Price Tag: $9.95 AUD
Thanks to T.J.Maxx, I have discovered the Australian brand Sukin. The great thing about this scrub is that the scrubby bits are minimal so you don’t to worry as much about over-exfoliating. I also like the scent. It has a lemony and vanilla quality to it.
The scrub was also $8 at T.J.Maxx.
Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser
Where to Buy: Sukin [link]
Price Tag: $9.95
I love, love this moisturizer. I was skeptical about how moisturizing the product would be since it’s packaged in a bottle with a pump dispenser, and I generally need a heavy cream to combat my perpetually dry skin. So far I’ve been impressed all around, but one of its best features is the wonderful warm scent with a hint of vanilla. Not like a vanilla cake sort of scent, but deeper and not sugary.
Color Cosmetics
e.l.f. Mineral Pressed Mineral Foundation
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com [link]
Price Tag: $8 USD
While I don’t wear the pressed powder on its own, like traditional mineral makeup, I do like to apply it after using a BB/CC/Tinted Moisturizer. It’s on the powdery side, but this light foundation works well with my dry skin. I use the shade Porcelain.
Pacifica Ultra CC Cream
Where to Buy: pacificaperfume.com [link]
Price Tag: $18 USD
Despite my initial concern with the dark shade of the product, I have fallen in love with it. Somehow the CC Cream manages to match my skin tone, give light coverage, and not dry out my skin. I even used this product during my recent camping/spelunking trip to the Maquoketa Caves State Park (more info here).
e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com [link]
Price Tag: $3 USD
I’m still on the fence as to whether this product works, but I will try anything to improve the area under my eyes. At three bucks, it’s definitely worth a spin.
e.l.f. Mineral Blush in Sweet Retreat
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com [link]
Price Tag: $5 USD
Sweet Retreat has quickly become my stand-by blush. I love the e.l.f. Mineral Blushes, but this shade is just perfect for my fair skin. I think I used this blush every time I wore makeup during the month of July.
Silk Naturals Vegan Kisser Slicker in Mirage
Where to Buy: Silk Naturals [link]
Price Tag: $4.50 USD
Mirage didn’t make a huge impression on me when I first bought it, but the lip gloss stick has become one of my most favorite lip shades ever. A great neutral pink shade perfect for light skin tones. I usually keep it in my purse for touch ups while on-the-go.
Everyday Minerals Tinted Lip Butter in Blooming Mauve
Where to Buy: Everyday Minerals [link]
Price Tag: $6 USD
This light shade is the perfect compliment when I’m wearing taupe, or other cool toned shadows and blushes. I find myself reaching for Blooming Mauve more often than I expected. The lip product is also moisturizing, much better than EDM’s earlier lip incarnations.
e.l.f. Essential EX-tra Lip Gloss in Scott
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com [link]
Price Tag: $2 USD
I love this shade! It’s a very flattering pink for my light, neutral-to-warm skin tone. Best of all, it lacks a weird scent that e.l.f. needs to throw into their lip products.
e.l.f. Essential Smudge Pot in Cruisin Chic
Where to Buy: eyeslipsface.com [link]
Price Tag: $3 USD
Finally, a cream shadow I can get behind. I like the Smudge Pot line, but the taupe-y shade Cruisin Chic is the best of the ones I own. However, I still experience creasing after several hours, even with an eye primer underneath.
Did any of these products make it into your favorites list for July? Let me know below!
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