July Favorites

Another month tragically gone from the calendar. I'm not sure exactly what happened to me this month, but my favorites list is a bit on the slim side. Perhaps it was the oppressive heat that discouraged me from using bunches of product. I suspect yes.

Jo Malone London Blackberry & Bay Cologne (30ml) If you haven't checked out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yet, what are you waiting for?!? I got this captivating scent in their exclusive offering for the sale, which also included a Lime Basil & Mandarin Mini Candle and Orange Blossom Hand and Shower Gel. All for only $80! But this is my favorite of the three. You get a nice burst of fruit from the blackberry, and then it turns into this rich, sophisticated scent from the bay and other underlying notes. This is a great end of summer scent that I think will carry beautifully into the fall. Available online and at Nordstrom in 30ml ($60) and 100ml ($115)

Nails, Inc. Nail Lacquer in Porchester Square After reading about this polish for ages courtesy of Anna at Vivianna Does Makeup (we're best friends, she just doesn't know it), I finally found it in stock at the Sephora in the Shops at North Bridge. Magnificently creamy, this is the perfect purple greige there is. As far as I can tell, anyway, which is what matters. Terrific wear time, three days without a chip, and it goes perfectly with my next selection. If you're looking for a sophisticated nail look that strays from the beaten path, this is it, kiddos. Available from Sephora ($9.50)

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Happy Birthday Finally I can wear this! I lusted after this for a year and a half, obtained it about seven months ago, and promptly discovered that I didn't have a single polish over which this glitter looked truly stellar. Woe, woe, agony and woe! But it has found it's match in Porchester Square. This is a multi-colored glitter in primary colors that's in a clear base. It looks really festive layered over the Nails, Inc. color, and it just makes me happy to see it! Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to everyone! Available online and at Nordstrom, Bluemercury, and other stores ($19)

Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious Mascara A drugstore mascara that I actually like? I'm not sure about some of the bigger claims made about this new offering from Revlon, but I can't deny that it lifts and separates my lashes beautifully. It doesn't add a whole bunch of volume, but I don't mind that as I have pretty full lashes already. This is a great daytime mascara, one or two swipes and you're good to go. As far as I can tell, it doesn't flake significantly, but I'm a notorious eye rubber, so I can't speak to that as well. Lord knows the price is hard to beat! Available in most drugstores ($7.99)

Anthropologie Mug and Canapé Plate I LOVE having my breakfast on this adorable set I picked up on sale from Anthropologie. What's not to like?! A dog in a fez!?! SO CUTE. Just cheers my miserable morning self up immeasurably. And a seriously good bargain. If you like them, you'll have to scour the sale rooms pretty hard, seems like everyone else thinks they're pretty great, too. On sale at Anthropologie

Find Your Grail

This product has been hailed around the blogosphere as a sort of holy grail of concealers. What is it? NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28). So, does it live up to the hype?

I've been using it for about a week now, and I have to say, the texture is reeeeeeally interesting (in a good way). Not quite liquid, not quite cream, it's really easy to blend and get a natural finish. I get pretty solid coverage with one layer, and you can build it, although it takes a good deal of finesse so as not to disturb previous layers. I've been wearing it under my eyes without setting powder on no foundation days, and it definitely hits between 7-8 hours before a touchup is needed. Impressive? Oui.

It's available in 10 shades, so there should be a fairly good match for just about anyone. It definitely covers my circles and brightens up my under eye area without being heavy or creasing. I hate to admit it, but for $28, this one-step wonder may be replacing Bobbi Brown's corrector and concealer for my camouflaging needs. I feel like a traitor.

Have any of you given this concealer a go?

If I Was A Folly Girl...

NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies ($26) has sung and danced its way into my heart. A powerfully bright pink coral, it delivers high shine along with surprisingly long lasting power. Now, this is a gloss, so don't get any illusions about this pushing through a meal, it's just not going to happen. Still, undisturbed, I got a good four hours out of this before I needed to reapply.

It is slightly sticky as it has a really glossy formula, but I wouldn't say it feels excessively heavy by any stretch. The applicator is a small, thin brush on the end of your typical lip gloss wand, which was puzzling at first, but it really lets you get the shape of your lips perfect without over-applying product. Sign me up for the chorus!

Nails are painted with Nails, Inc. Porchester Square with Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday on accent nails.

Grow Stronger, You Badass Mother

I realized that I haven't mentioned the new base coat I've been using, which I should because it's really proving to be a BAMF. 

I picked up Essie Grow Stronger base coat a few weeks ago when I had some coupons, as I wasn't satisfied with the Orly base I had been using lately. I guess based on the name that it's supposed to be a nail strengthener. I hadn't really been paying too close attention to that aspect of it, but now that I think of it, my nails have been flaking considerably less. The real reason it occurred to me to mention this base is that it is doing a champion effing job making my polish last. I would say it extends my manis by about 2 days. This is a big deal for me, as someone who typically chips her nails by the end of the first day.

This sucker will definitely be holding a permanent spot in my home mani line up.  Bonus! It's a really pretty pink color, so you can also just wear this as a colors.  Yay!