I haven’t done a favorites post in forever, or maybe I’ve never done one. But I have a number of beauty products that I discovered over the last few months that I’d like to highlight.
Nails
Nails are not usually a category of products that I’m overly involved in, but this summer my nails look pretty darn awesome.
- Mont Bleu Glass Nail Files and Foot Files: I can’t get over how much I adore my glass nail file from Mont Bleu. There is a huuuuuuuuge difference between the Mont Bleu file and the other brand I tried previously. I’m pretty much addicted to filing my nails with my crystal-encrusted Mont Bleu file. And the Mont Bleu foot file is terrific too. It removes a lot of dead skin and it’s easier to use than my beloved Amope electric foot file. (see bottom of post for links to great deals on Amazon; less than $10 for a set of 2 or 3 glass files)
- Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector, Lavender: Zoya Naked Mani Perfector in Lavender makes my nails look so bright and white that I haven’t taken it off all week! It makes my nails look super healthy. It’s a great alternative for when I’m not wearing a color polish. $10
- Julie G Nail Color summer collection, Faith (the one in the middle of the photo below): I received 6 new summer shades from Julie G that I need to swatch and review, but on day one of their arrival, I put the gorgeous raspberry cream, Faith, on my toes, and I’m in love. I think it’s a perfect, happy, summer shade. Also, I was in a hurry and skipped a base and topcoat, and the color hasn’t budged in two weeks. Great stuff! $3.99
Makeup
- NARS Liquid Blush, Orgasm: It’s been years since I used a liquid blush, but I am smitten again, this time with NARS Liquid Blush. A little goes a very long way. It stays on forever. And Orgasm in liquid form is not glittery IMHO like the powder version. It has two ways to apply it: the pump dispenser hidden under the cap or a stick dropper if you unscrew the cap. Interesting. $30
- IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Anti-aging Collagen Veil Primer: Not sure whether to call this makeup or skincare, but I wear it as primer under foundation so makeup it will be. I love the velvety but light feeling on my skin of this primer with skin benefits. It does a good job helping my foundation stay out of fine lines and wrinkles. $48
- MAC Upward Lash Mascara: I received a travel size sample of this mascara when I purchased a couple of Paint Pots and a lipstick recently. I am blown away at how this has become my favorite mascara. I love the small wand with plastic teeth for separating my lashes and helping me elongate my outer lashes to help my downturned eyes look less downturned. Plus this curls my lashes without having to use a lash curler. No clumping, no flaking. Love it! $23 full size
- Jesse’s Girl Matte Finish Lip Color: Still the only liquid matte lipstick I can wear on my super-dry lips. I love this affordable, non-drying, long lasting lipstick. I own two shades: Angelic, neutral mauve, and Sultry, red, both are very pretty. If you have dry lips and think you can’t wear liquid matte lipstick, try this one. $3.99
- Jelly Pong Pong Super Intense Eyeshadow Duo, Supercharged: This summer I have been a minimalist when it comes to my makeup. I’m not doing anything really complicated. I rarely bother to take out a palette. I got this Jelly Pong Pong (Korean brand) eyeshadow duo with gold and copper shimmer shadows in a recent Ipsy bag, and it has been my go-to all summer when I go out at night. I’ve been using one shade all across my lid or combining the two for a simple look with a metallic sheen. If I have time, I add a random matte neutral shade in my crease and/or V. I love this easy burnished look. And the little mirror compact is so easy to carry and use. $23
Skincare
- Georgette Klinger Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer: I was so sad when my beloved skincare brand, Georgette Klinger, disappeared more than 15 years ago. So happy that it has returned with what appears to be an entirely new lineup of cruelty-free, more natural skincare products. I’m testing out three, but the Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer immediately stood out to me. This is the perfect moisturizer for summer. Lightweight, soothing and nourishing, it comes in an easy to use and protective pump container. And the light scent that I can’t quite place is delightful (it fades immediately after application). Love this stuff! Welcome back, Georgette Klinger! $32
- Amalie Wink Lash and Brow Enhancing Oil: After I finished up my first tube of the effective, gentle and fabulous Amalie Wink Lash and Brow Enhancing Oil, I was asked to try out lash growth products from two other brands. Both turned out to be no-gos for my very sensitive eyes. I gave up on them both. I was dancing a jig when a new tube of Amalie Wink came my way a few weeks ago. Amalie Wink is perfect for my supremely sensitive eyes, and it definitely helps my lashes grow longer and fuller as well as stay soft and hydrated. I think this product is perfect! $40
- Aveda Tulasara Wedding Masque Eye Overnight: I had been loyal to PCASkin Eye Gel for more than a year, but Aveda Tulasara Eye Masque, a soothing and firming cream, has made me stray. It’s an excellent eye cream, IMO, for anyone with dry to very dry skin around the eye area. It helps me firm the skin above my crease as well as under my eyes. $55
- Aveda Hand Relief: This is the richest, most protective hand cream I’ve used in, well, forever. It is the perfect cold weather hand cream or hand cream for those of us with very dry skin. I’ve gotta put this away for winter and pull out one of my beloved lighter weight hand creams from Farmhouse Fresh, but I keep delaying. This is great stuff! $24
- LATHER Bulgarian Rose Phytonutrient Elixir: I thought I had found my favorite rose toner when I discovered Jurlique, but a friend pointed out that it has alcohol in it. While the alcohol doesn’t seem to bother my skin, it can be drying over time and I don’t need anything that’s drying. LATHER Bulgarian Rose mist smells heavenly, and it has no alcohol. It’s just lovely and gentle. Worth a try if you like rose toning mists! $22
Bath & Body
- Treets Traditions Foaming Shower Gel Relaxing Chakras: This is one fabulous, hydrating, super foaming shower gel. I love the cherry blossom scent of the Relaxing Chakras version (though it comes in, I think, 3 or 4 other scents). The shower foam is so prolific and so sturdy – I use it as shave foam too. For between $12-15, this stuff is a terrific “treet”! The Relaxing Chakras Body Oil is nice too – smells great and absorbs oh so well 🙂
I could probably add more, but these are the new-to-me beauty products I’ve been reaching for most over the summer. What are you loving right now?
What’s your Reaction?
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I love that Nars liquid blush but in shade Torrid! It blends beautifully and last all day long on me!
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What a great favorites post! The NARS Liquid Blush is utterly gorgeous, and I think that I will take a closer look at it next time I’m out and about. Though I will say that losing its CF status really bothers me. I have never tried anything from Georgette, and will have to try something from the line!
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Yes, it really disappointed me to see that NARS has hopped on the China bandwagon. I hope that with enough people emailing them to complain about the decision they will reconsider. Unfortunately, China is such a gargantuan market and prestige brands like NARS do well there that it is difficult for companies to turn away from the opportunity. But if they think they’ll lose enough customers in the US, they just might reconsider.
You’ve named so many products that I want to try. I for sure will buy the Zoya Naked polish. It sounds amazing and I’m putting the MAC mascara on my list for a future purchase as well.
I was surprised at how much I like both the Zoya Naked Mani in Lavender – my nails are blindingly white now – as well as the MAC Upward Lash that allows me to put away my lash curler!
I have the Jelly Pong Pong shadow and it is gorgeous! I love the color and it is super pigmented!
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The Supercharged shadow duo was such a good surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting much from this little compact, but now I love it!
You have a great stash going on there and most of them sounds like winners! I’m really interested in that mascara – I will have to look into it!
Not having to curl my lashes and no clumping makes MAC Upward Lash a winner for me! Take a look at it next time
I have disliked every nail file that I have tried. But these sound awesome and will head over to Amazon to check them out!
Debby, I know what you mean about not liking most nail files. They never lasted, they tore at my nails. I am truly obsessed by Mont Bleu’s glass nail files, and the adorable crystals on the top don’t hurt either. I’ve never used a nail file any where close to as good as this one 🙂
I’m a huge, huge fan of getting pedicures and manicures because I’ve never been great with painting my own nails, however I’m also learning that I don’t get as many color selections by doing this. This summer was my “try it at home” summer and so far so good! I love the fun, flirty colors you’ve chosen here.
I’d rather get a pro mani and pedi but I need to save the $$$ so even though my manis don’t last as long when I do them, I enjoy changing up my shades more often. I need to get going on swatching the new collection from Julie G. There’s also a fab teal, green and another pink, I think 🙂
I love hearing your favorites! I hope you’ll do t regularly! I recently went back to the Naked Manicure system for my base and top coats, using the same Lavender shade you do. I needed a treatment from pulling nail wraps off my nails incorrectly, and I needed something lacking formaldehyde resin (I’m trying to curb unnecessary chemicals in my beauty products for the next several months! :))
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Definitely don’t take a chance with formaldehyde in the polish since there are so many great “free” options now!
I haven’t personally tried any of your current beauty favorites but I might try some of them now! For my nails, I just started doing the gel manicures at home. And for mascara, I’m currently obsessed with L’oreal Million Lashes.
I was a big fan of L’Oreal Voluminous something Intenza, but I haven’t had a chance to try Million Lashes yet. I’ll take a look!
Terrific choices. I love my Nars blush and the one JulieG polish I’ve worn. I have more hiding somewhere and need to find them. I used Wink on my brows and loved it, when I finished it I was sad and forgot about it until now. I never used it on my lashes though. Maybe I should! As far as an IT skincare product, I am crazy about the serum I have from them.
Thanks Marcia! I’ve been loving a lot of new stuff lately!
Great picks! I really like the Julie G nail polish. I’m going to check out the Georgette Klinger. It sounds like something that’s right up my alley!
I’m about to go do my nails with the teal Julie G right now!
Great choices! I need to try the Julie G nail polishes!
I’m blown away at what good polish Julie G is. One coat really covers my nails. amazing
I think it’s finally time I get the glass nail files, as I keep reading/seeing them, and here they are again 🙂 My old style nail files just aren’t cutting it, so it’s time for a change!
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Definitely check out the glass nail files from Mont Bleu on Amazon – they’re a steal and their quality is so much better than other glass file brands.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a glass nail file, but it sounds cool. I LOVE Zoya! I’ve bought so many of their polishes this year. I haven’t tried liquid NARS, but I have Orgasm in the powder form. I just found out that they’re no longer cruelty-free, which is very disappointing. I’ve never heard of George Klinger. I love CF products, so I’ll have to check that out!
I agree with you, Samantha, it is very disappointing that NARS is considering selling in China and that will affect their CF status there. I wish China would just stop it already since there are so many better ways to test cosmetics as well as personal care products like toothpaste, deodorant etc that they also require animal testing for.
Like I mentioned on IG, I like the liquid blush from NARS. The dispenser was quite a struggle for me to remove in the beginning, you will see in my upcoming video!
Oh no! I didn’t bother reading the instructions, and I didn’t know it was there till Marcia told me. But luckily, the cap on my bottle comes off quite easily.
Love the stuff. Gonna try the NARS liquid blush.
The NARS Liquid Blush is gorgeous. You won’t be disappointed if you try it
These products look great. I’m yet to find a nail Polish that lasts more than 5 minutes on my nails before getting chipped so intrigued to see how your choices fair. Also like the sound of the Rose cleanser!
Nicola, it is indeed a struggle to find a polish that lasts. It often has more to do with the shape of one’s nail tips and how the polish is applied. Unless I get a pro mani, I usually get chips within a couple of days. I try to remember to seal the tips with polish and topcoat but I often don’t and that’s the problem for me. I’m going to do a post on the Julie G polishes soon. The shades are beautiful, and one coat actually covers if I don’t feel like putting on another coat. And it dries super fast. Good stuff and very affordable!
I am not much into make up but i thing i love and would step out without is eye make especially mascara and eye pencil. Jellypongpong eyeshadow Shade is very appealing looks just pretty for night out and even i use Mac mascara and totally in love with it.
The Jelly Pong Pong Supercharged shadow duo is perfect for a night out. I think you love it.
I just invested in a lot of it cosmetics products and loved them! Zoya is my go to nail polish brand.
You can seldom go wrong with both IT Cosmetics and Zoya!
Great choices! I love the matte lipstick, that color would definitely suit me. I don’t really use nail products because I get mine done at the salon. I’m useless when it comes to doing my own nails.
I love my Mont Bleu glass file! It’s seriously made such a difference on my nails and heels. I want to try out that Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector, I remember seeing a nice set of it at my local ULTA
Mont Bleu’s files have absolutely blown me away, they’re so good! I’m impressed with the Zoya Naked Mani. The lavender shade is amazing. It makes my nails blindingly white!
Wonderful favorites as always Allison! I love Aveda’s Skin Relief hand cream too.
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Thanks Anastasia! Glad you’re a fan of the Aveda Hand Relief too. I just made myself put it away till winter, and it was hard to do coz I love it so much.
I am a big fan of Lather and Aveda products. I have to checkout that NARS blush.
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Glad you like LATHER and Aveda too! The NARS Liquid Blush is definitely worth a look. I love it!
I love the look of the Jelly Pong shadow duo. My best recent find is the Bare Minerals complexion rescue tinted base.
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Terrific choice of cosmetics. I especially love your nail polish color selection.
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Thanks, Elena! I don’t know if Julie G polish by Jesse’s Girl is in the UK, but the shades in the Bohemian Collection really are fabulous
I haven’t tried any of these products. I didn’t even know half of them. It is always great to discover new brands. I knew Mac and Nars though ahah and that blush looks really cool
I seem to use a lot of “off the beaten path” brands! But the well-known NARS Liquid Blush really is cool. I like it better than the glittery powder version.
I spy JulieG! 😉 Love her new collection!
I put Harmony on my nails last night, and I’m blown away by its gorgeousness. These polishes cover in one coat!
I’m most curious about the It Cosmetics serum primer. I hear a lot of good things about it.
When I bought it during the spring, I was on the fence, but I’ve found that it is perfect for summer. I use it as a primer with skin benefits. It’s terrific. Maybe in January in Boston I may have to go back to my Hourglass No. 28 that’s much heavier. This is more like Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer but I like it even more.
How fun! I love when beauty bloggers share their favorites. I’ve added a number of them to my Target list . I’d especially love to try the Aveda Hand Relief. Hours in the garden have left my hands in need of some extra TLC. x
I don’t use a lot of make up and beauty products but you have a great selection here. So wonderful to learn from someone who has used and received positive results with these items!
Thank you for sharing this. I am definitely going to try the Naked Manicure Perfecter and the foaming shower gel sounds amazing!
I totally agree with the JulieGs! This collection is amazing!
Glad you agree! I’ve gotta get my Julie G Bohemian collection post up soon. The shades are incredible!
I have actually never used any of these products! And I’ve heard of just about everything.. lol! Thank you for sharing, I’ll def try these out! *runs to the store, haha*
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LOL!
I like nail polish in such a way that i have a Nail rack on my wall and soon will have to purchase another one. I have seen many reviews etc of the Zoya polishes, but it’s not available here in RSA i think, they look so interesting.
Ah, a true polish lover, Leanie! It’s a shame that Zoya isn’t an international brand…yet, because it is truly wonderful.
The only Nars product that I’ve ever tried is a lippie. I’m not in love with it but I do want to try their concealer. I’ve heard great things!
I need more Julie G nail polish – the formula on the 1 I have is great & the colors are great for every day stuff. Great post!
Thanks, Kristi! I’ve got the Bohemian collection, and I love the shades. It pretty much covers in one coat, surprised me!
You have a lot of good favorites. Most of them I have not heard of.
Well then, there’s a bunch of stuff for you to consider trying when/if the need arises!
Your collections are so lovely. This brands are cool and nail-friendly, I think. Great choice.