My Beauty Picks #1⎪JUNE

Ideally, I would like to do a monthly favorites. But I know for sure that I can't commit to scheduling a favorites post every month. So, until I think of a name/title to call these series of random-recently-loving posts featuring just that, I'll just call it my "Current Favorites". Bland, boring, but for sure, the products I mention won't be! :)

First off, skincare. These two are a must. I do have other products I would have liked to mention, but nothing stood out as much as these two. It's actually hard to say that my skin improved because of only these two products. It is probably the combination and routine of all that I use day and night, which you can probably get a glimpse of it here in this blogpost. Anyway, still moving on with just two to mention- both are Origins products, which I love. I've tried only a few from their range, but each time, I've been way more than impressed! At a time when even the facial specialists kind of felt irritated that they couldn't get my skin to improve fast and well enough, I thought I had to take matters into my own hands and figure out what to do. I wasn't rejuvenating, and none of the serums I was using was working. Why? Because I probably had a surface layer of dead skin that no matter how much I tried to exfoliate, wouldn't cut it.

So my first goal was: DETOX. I bought this Origins Active Charcoal Mask aka "Clear Improvements". I was hesitant to try this because my skin is sensitive and the last time I tried a charcoal mask was way back when I found some masks can strip my skin and all. But, I knew I needed to detox. And boy, am I happy I tried this out! One day, best results. So, though it says use once a week ("or as needed") I find that I cannot go a day without using this. I'm not sure if that does bad things to the skin, but for sure, it's been helping me. LOADS.

Second skincare item is the Origins Make a Difference Plus + Treatment. Best for combination skin I hear. It's the perfect combo for the mask because once I have stripped the dead dull icky layer off my skin, I tone it and then put on this hydrating treatment that kind of sorts out my skin and keeps it really soft and supple throughout the day and night. I'm not sure how it works, but it's working miracles on me so need I say more? :)

As for makeup, I've got a few! Chanel Eyeshadow Stylo in "Moon River" and "Pink Lagoon"- part of their Summer Collection 2013. I'm not a huge follower of seasonal collections, but I happened to be there when it first launched and I really liked it. That like grew to a good healthy respect for these eyeshadows! Review of them are here.

Another things pertaining to the eyes is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind/ Eraser for Dark Circles. I am loving this thing! I have the 2nd lightest shade and I love to just chuck this in my bag and apply it throughout the day. Review of this here.

MAC Cosmetics always has something nice to snatch up. I've been obsessed with two certain lipsticks, both in the orange family. One is actually part of the Orange Collection 2013 from not too long ago! It's the shade "Tangerine Dream" which is a dreamy, true pastel orange. It gives the illusion that you are some pastry goddess. The other orange is the shade "Saigon Summer". Looks really vibrant but it's actually pretty vividly-natural. Meaning, it's nothing like a neon shade but a really pretty wearable, yet different color!

Another MAC item is their pressed pigment in "Beaming". One of my most read posts here on my blog has been the review of my pressed pigment in the shade "Day Gleam". Unfortunately, my sister stole it and just won't return it! So, I went for a shade a tad darker and actually more suitable for my skin. The sparkle gives a wet look on the eyelids, and it's simple flattering.

Blush. Summer is about blushes, as well as lipsticks. The blush I find myself gravitating towards every single summer is the Benefit "Coralista". Amazing shade. Wonderful finish. Love the gleam and shine. It's perfect. Wore it every day this summer. Strangely, I didn't even reach for it all winter and spring. But once that heat wave began, there I was putting this without end! It's a must-have. Really...

Let's talk Fragrance. You know by know, if you ever read my blog, that I am a fragrance-philia. What is that you say? Well, a word I made up meaning: fragrance-lover. I recently did a whole series of my Perfume Collection video/posts. It went down really well :) Anyway, one of the featured fragrance was the Jo Malone "Lemon Tart". Sharp citrus/lemon zest with a hint of sweetness that makes it a perfect summer scent. I am not that fond (yet) of the beach-scent for the summer. For summer, I go for something zesty, fruity, sharp, and fresh. I mean, if you live in NY, you'll know that humidity sucks and I don't know about you, but I hate to have a scent weigh me down in the heat!

Talking about heat. Whew. Who here has bangs? Because I do, and when it's hot out and you've got oily skin, bangs aren't going to last "fresh-looking" all day long. I end up usually carrying a bobby-pin around and pinning up my bangs by the 8th hour or something. But hey, I found this thing called dry shampoos something I'm sure everyone but me uses! I use the Batiste dry shampoos and this is the first and only one I've tried. So, I can't say it's the best one on the market. But it's cheap. It smells cute. And it does the job so darn well. I can have my bangs down and lookin' fresh all day long. That's something right there. Yep.

Another necessity for the summer heat is a good primer. A fool-proof primer. Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer does just that. It's a heft price and so I began with the smaller bottle so I could be sure it's as good as the reviews say it is. Indeed. Right after I used even to the last pump and scrap of that small bottle, I went and got the big chunky one. I love it, but for sure I don't love the price! ($52)

Though I live in NY, I'm also around AC's a lot. I also travel. That means I may go to places that are actually parched dry. That happened recently. But though my skin, nails, and lips were starting to chap I did not worry. Why you ask? Well, because I had my new must-have-for-handbag Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream with me. Best for lips and cuticles. This all/multi-purpose cream is divine.

Last for the beauty things: Jurlique Hand Cream. I have the scent in Jasmine. Love it. A bit thick and luxurious, but it will definitely seep in give your hands a really lady hands :) I recommend the smaller size though. It's never ending and not as cute as the smaller travel size!

Then for some random bit: FOOD FAVES!?
One isn't really a food. It's the Starbucks AfterCoffee Mints. They are mind-blowingly strong. Like, Altoids can't even compare! I love to pop that small mint in and be mind-blown with a minty breath and awakening the senses effect.

The other is a food. An addicting food. If you're going to try this, you better be prepared to get addicted. It's the Popcorners "Kettle" Popped Corn Chips. I'm not going to say much. Just go get it. And try it. Because in both two of the supermarkets I went to yesterday were sold out of this. Just in the flavor I wanted- the "Kettle" one. It's that good.

I didn't mention the last food in my video, but I thought I had missed a big part of the favorites out if I didn't mention it one way or the other! Anyway, that is all for now. Please follow me on Instagram for random updates and Twitter for more substantial updates! See y'all next time :)