So….I am going to state the obvious, I am sooo sorry to my faithful readers that have been patiently waiting for a new post. This summer was crazy with travel, graduations, weddings, etc., and I kept thinking of products to write about and then never just sitting my butt down to write about them! Ok, so let me start off with a few of my favorite summer staples, that I didn’t get a chance to write about this summer:
#1) Xen-Tan, Xen-Tan, Xen-Tan!
Xen-Tan Luxe Line
I can not say enough good things about Xen-Tan products. I haven’t tried the coveted daily self tan dark lotion, which everyone online is raving about, but I have tried the Luxe product and love it! The smell is a very vanilla-y cookie smell and does fade within the first few hours after application, but the “self-tan stink” is not evident even after the vanilla goodness fades. This product has a more natural looking tan (more like a real tan, honestly) then drugstore self tanners, and lasts WAYYY longer. Mine lasted for a full week before it really started to fade, but if I was reapplying ever 5 days or so, I could keep this tan going all through the winter! Fair warning though, Xen-Tan products are expensive. I got mine from Ulta and just so happened to have a 15% off coupon, so I got mine for around $16. They are totally worth it though. The way I justify spending that much cash on a sunless tanner is if I was going to get a spray tan ever 10 days or so, I would spend around $30 a pop for that; which is the cost of one tube of Xen-Tan; which will last me several months.
Another word of caution, this particular Xen-Tan product is very runny. I can’t attest to the more coveted dark lotion because like I said, I haven’t tried it. The Luxe lotion is so runny that if the bottle was left on it’s end like it’s supposed to be, the minute you open the cap you’re losing product. So be verrrry careful when opening, this stuff is too expensive to kersplode all over the floor.
#2) Pond’s Evening Soothe Chamomile Wipes
Chamomile wipes
Loooove this makeup wipes. They have a soft scent, and really get the makeup off. They’re one of the cheaper makeup wipes out there, and the chamomile really does soothe tired, and dirty skin at the end of the day. These were a must during my super HOT Texas summer this year.
#3) Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System (AKA the poor man’s Clarisonic)
Poor Man's Clarisonic
I finally understand what everyone has been raving about. I have been wanting a Clarisonic for years, but I just keep putting off plunking down the serious cash to own one. I found this little gem randomly for half price in a grocery store of all places, and thought for that price I could afford to try it. I loooove it. It is probably no where near as powerful as the Clarisonic as far as rotation/scrub speed, but it gets the job done better than scrubbing yourself and there is a noticeable difference in my skin. I will not live without this product from now on. Any breakouts I have had are noticeably diminished or gone after using this electronic “scrubber” for just 3 days in a row. My skin is softer, and even scars/minor sun spots have begun to fade, JUST from using this product. My very minor crows feet are slightly softening (to me anyways). The box comes with a small sample cleanser, but I am convinced any cleanser will work with this product. I use Cetaphil cleanser with mine, and my skin is so ridiculously clean and smooth afterwards. I just don’t know how I lived without this for so long. Btw, I am still going to save up for a Clarisonic, but for now, I am really happy with this product and will continue to use it until it dies.
#4) Blond Brilliance
Blonde Brilliance Highlighting Kit
I have tackled the DIY highlights, several times over now and I loooove this product. The blonde lifts very nicely, and over the summer when I wanted very light beachy highlights, I would let it process for around 45 minutes and it came out perfect EVERY time. No tiger stripes, no brassiness, nothing. Just perfection. The kit costs around $9 at Sally’s Beauty. I don’t use the brush that comes with it though, I bought a separate brush also from Sally’s for about $5 and it makes the process so much easier. I still love getting my hair done professionally but when I’m in a bind either for cash or time, I will ALWAYS turn to this product.
#5) Proclaim Argan Oil Hair treatment
Available at Sally's Beauty for around $7
I just can’t get enough of this stuff. For highly processed hair like mine, this words wonders. A day after highlighting, my hair feels healthy, full and thoroughly moisturized after using this product. I use it as both a treatment, and a pre-blow dry lotion. A litte goes such a long ways too, that one bottle lasts me for at least 6 months. I also use it as body moisturizer when I travel, kill two birds with one stone.
Ok, now one to my current fall favorites. It’s not quite fall yet, but we’re getting there and this season there are so many great products, I just can’t get enough.
#1) I have become obsessed with all things Scentsy/generic wax warmers for the fall season. I spent almost an entire weekend looking up websites where I can buy both wax and holiday themed warmers. I just can’t get enough of this stuff. Wal-Mart has very good wax warmers from Better Homes and Gardens that rival Scentsy warmers, and are only $15. I’ve already bought three and am LOVING them. They have a nice selection of scented wax cubes too. I have this particular one in my kitchen.
When I’m not using a wax warmer, I’m burning candles. Our house smells FABULOUS; most of the time. 
Anyway, I am loving soy candles only. Some people might say there isn’t a difference but there totally is. Soy candles burn cleaner, and last longer than normal candles. I am loving Archipelago Botanical candles. I NEVER pay full price for mine though. My local TJ Maxx has them occasionally, and I always try to buy at least 3-4 when I find them. They even have a tobacco flavor which smells surprisingly good.
I only pay about $5 a piece for these when I can find them.
#2) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils
Iced Mocha is currently my favorite color for a very easy champagne smokey eye.
These pencils are so cheap, you can afford to collect every color they have. They cost about $4 a piece, and last forever! They are perfect for creating smudgey smokey looks, and come in absolutely gorgeous colors. Their jumbo lip pencils are also wonderful. Not only are they cheap, but they’re cruelty free and come in nearly ever color of the rainbow. You can even get ones infused with glitter. My current go to is the Iced Mocha, on both top and bottom lash lines, smudged, and then I use a liquid liner on my top lid to create a casual yet gorgeous smokey eye that’s perfect for day time or can be darkened for a night out. I also have black bean, and slate. All of them are gorgeous and also work great as lid primers.
#3) Ralph Lauren Romance
I like to mix this scent with DKNY's Red Be Delicious for the perfect fall time scent
My go to fall scent, Romance smells so clean and fresh and vibrant it’s described as a “floral” on sephora’s website but I wouldn’t describe it that way, it smells more citrusy to me. When mixed with DKNY’s Red Be Delicious musky citrus smell, it’s seductive. My hubby loves it.
#4) Almay Liquid Liner
Currently on the liquid liner bandwagon
I have found myself falling on and off the liquid liner bandwagon over the years. I use it for a while and then find something else I like better, and then go back to it and on and on and on. Right now I’m on the bandwagon and loving it. I love the very chic and simple cat eye that only liquid liner can produce and it works for both night and day. It just pulls a look together, regardless of where you’re going. I have this in Raisin Quartz, Black, and a very dark brown. I love all of them, especially the raisin quartz because it really plays up my blue eyes. All of these are completely smudge proof too. There’s never any transfer onto my upper eye lids (which I hate, with pencils!) and takes a good scrub to get off at night. The applicator is also extremely easy to use, remember practice makes perfect.
And last but not least…
#5) Revlon Grow Luscious mascara
This brush is identical to Benefit's BadGal lash
I confess I haven’t been using this mascara for very long, so I haven’t noticed a difference in growth for my lashes yet, (I’ll keep you posted on that) but I LOOOVE the brush and the formula so I could care less about growth at this point. It’s so similar to Benefit’s BadGal lash, and it’s 1/4 of the price. I never thought I’d say this, but this could be my mascara FOR-EV-ER. The formula is not too dry/not to wet and it comes in blackest black. My favorite color.
Ok ladies and gents, thanks for reading this rather long winded review(s) of my favorites over the last few months. I appreciate all comments and suggestions and enjoy hearing from my readers so feel free to message/comment me. Stay tuned and stay beautiful!
Tags: Almay liquid liner, Archipelago candles, Olay Pro-X, Ralph Lauren Romance, Revlon Grow Luscious mascara, Xen-Tan
