My content is usually themed around getting sweaty but today we’re going to talk getting pretty. I’m sharing some of my favorite beauty discoveries of the summer.
Get ready because I finally jumped on the dry shampoo bandwagon, joined the cult of BB cream and I’m pretty sure I’ve discovered the world’s best hair dryer. Here’s a graphic overview and then I’ll go into more detail on each product.
1. ByBliss Pro Volare V1 Hair Dryer
My stylist uses this dryer and I’ve been coveting it for a while now. When my grandmother asked me what I wanted for my birthday I thought about it and then a lightbulb went off and I remembered the ByBliss Pro Volare. Get this…it has a Ferrari-designed engine. Fancy, right? It usually retails for around $200 but I found it at Target for $129. I can’t recommend this dryer enough. It’s the best blow dryer I have ever owned. Not only does it cut down on drying time but it also leaves my hair so silky and smooth.
2. Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm
Clearly I have been living under a rock because despite hearing about BB and CC creams for years, I had never tried one. I was so confused about their purpose, when to use them, etc. I stopped by Woo Cosmetics here in Charlotte (which has become my go-to for makeup shopping so I can avoid the mall and support a local business) and they had a Trish McEvoy makeup artist on site that day. I usually use Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown but I was willing to try out Trish. I was looking for some type of foundation or tinted moisturizer for daily wear and she recommended their beauty balm. It primes, brightens and evens out the skin while also hydrating. You can wear it alone or under foundation. I’ve been wearing it solo all summer and it’s been great. I can definitely tell that my face looks more even and dewy after applying it. Also, it has SPF 35. I am wearing Shade 2 for reference.
3. Doctor Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream
I read about this on a blog when I was dealing with my eyelid eczema. It’s hypoallergenic and meant for irritated, allergic, dry and sensitive skin. The ingredients list is pretty killer…
• Manuka Honey
• Aloe Vera Juice
• Rose Oil
• Borage Oil
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Beeswax
• Shea Butter
• Vitamin E
• Phytosterols
• Zinc Oxide
• Cocoa Butter
• Sweet Almond Oil
I’ll be totally honest, it didn’t help much with clearing my eyelid dermatitis but it did soothe and comfort my skin. I still use it pretty regularly, especially when my skin is irritated or extra sensitive.
4. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance
We’ve been using this sunscreen all summer. First, you can’t beat the scent of Hawaiian Tropic. There’s just something about that instantly transports you to beach/vacation mindset. Second, the “ultra radiance” leaves just a hint of shimmer behind so you look a little sparkly. You can only see it when you get really close but it’s kind of nice. They also make a formula without the ultra radiance. It’s the perfect sunscreen to throw in your pool or beach bag!
5. Trish McEvoy 24-Hour Eye Shadow and Liner in Topaz
This was another purchase from my trip to Woo. I love, love, love this shadow liner. The Topaz color is a shimmery light brown that is awesome in a light application for day wear or beautiful paired with a black liner at the lid line for evening. I like to wear it more as a thick, soft liner but you can also color in and make it a shadow as well.
6. ROC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream
I was looking for a budget-friendly eye cream and discovered that this one has won Best of Beauty a few times in Allure Magazine and was also on a list of eye creams under $20 that actually work. At under $15 I think it’s a steal and I’ve been using it nightly all summer with no irritation.
7. Living Proof Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo…where have you been all of my life!? Do you know how many times I’ve washed only the front section of my hair over the sink or used baby powder in my hair? Tons of my friends were talking about this one on Facebook so I decided to give it a try…and it’s amazing! I try to only wash my hair every 2-3 days (it looks so much better the day or two after I wash it when the oils distribute a little) but sometimes my roots can get a little icky, especially if I’m working out or teaching a lot. I don’t use this dry shampoo all the time (I’ve read it’s not good for your hair) but it’s perfect for when I’m trying to make it one more day or just don’t have time to wash and dry my hair before going out.
HIGHLY recommend the investment on this one. This dry shampoo works and it smells really good.
I hope you guys found that helpful. Now I’m going to ask you to return the favor.
I would love to hear about any beauty products you’ve discovered recently. I’d also love your suggestions on other BB or CC creams that I should try.
I am so curious about them now!
My top 4 beauty loves:
-Batiste Dry Shampoo: total game changer of dry shampoo. i’ve tried almost all of them and this one is hands down the best. might have to try living proof, but i love batiste so much!
-Benefit Eye Bright: line my inner eyes and under brows with this as a highlighter, brightens my eyes right up when I’m tired
-Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream w/ 35 SPF: covers like a tinted primer, light like a moisturizer, smoothes skin and has spf. Perfect.
-Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads 20%: I use one every 2-3 nights to help smooth my skin and reduce fine lines. Wash your face well in the morning after using it – otherwise you may taste it running down your face during workouts.
Dry shampoo: BATISTE! I buy it at Target but I’ve seen it at TJ Maxx as well. I used to use Dove but I am a total convert to Batiste. As someone whose hair gets greasy the day after washing it (grr), it’s a game-changer for me!
I need a new BB cream (I’ve used Smashbox in the past) so thanks for the recs on everything else! As someone who struggles with bad skin (stress acne, redness, enlarged pores), I’m considering trying out FatCo for their oil cleanser and their facial moisturizer because it’s so dang dry here in Colorado!
I’ve been really into Korean beauty for a few years now and LOVE Korean BB creams. 🙂 I tend to think that Korean BB creams have more coverage and just work slightly different in comparison to US BB creams. Most US BB creams I’ve tried are more like tinted moisturizers while Korean BB creams have more skincare benefits and are meant more as a foundation replacement. The downside is that, because they’re meant for the Korean market, they usually only come in 3 shades or so. And they’re all light. But I’m quite pale so they work for me! And they’re designed to oxidize to one’s skintone.
It actually stuns me how many Korean (and Japanese) makeup trends have made their way over to the States. BB creams, cushion compacts, even the gradient lip trend seems to be trying to break through in the US.
Korean makeup trends aren’t for everyone’s tastes (they actually tend to contrast a lot with current Western makeup trends) but if anyone’s interested you should check out Pony Makeup or Ssin on YouTube!
And don’t even get me started on Korean skincare… lol. I’ll talk for hours.
I bought Lune & Aster BB cream at Blue Mercury and really liked it…but recently attended a Mary Kay party and loved their BB cream even more!!! It went on so smoothly and was very affordable. Once my more expensive Lune & Aster tube is empty, I think I will switch to MK!
Fun post! I’m going to keep that hair dryer in mind for the next time I’m in need of a replacement.
My favorite CC cream is the 1000 roses one from Andalou Naturals. I got mine at Whole Foods and it’s under $20 and doesn’t have any funky ingredients, and it’s nice and light and smells nice.
I second (third?) Batiste Dry Shampoo! I’ve never tried Living Proof, but I’ve tried a bunch of brands and this one is awesome for the price (under $5 at TJ Maxx) and about $6ish at Target.
I have tried my fair share of BB creams (Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Laura Mercier, Neutrogena, etc) and recently grabbed ELF BB Cream (SPF20) at Target for $6 !! I figured I didnt have much to lose if I hated it for $6 (given what the others have costed me). Light and covers well! Bought it at Target … Walmart sells it and I have seen it at drug stores!
I loooove my Babyliss hair dryer! I have a Portofino (it may be discontinued, I remember I found it on Overstock or Amazon for a really good price about 6 years ago) and it has made such a huge difference in my hair!
I personally love IT Cosmetics’ CC cream, it has SPF 50 and has a good amount of coverage.
I love the idea of BB cream but have yet to find one that doesn’t make me break out. My skin looked great…around the pimples. 🙂 I read about other people using them with envy!
(I’m back on the whole30 to tame another plantar fasciitis flare up, so I’m also envying your sushi, and apple fritters!)
I bought the Living Proof shampoo and conditioner and I LOVE IT! It has been worth every penny. I love everything Hawaiian Tropic…It smells so good!
I love love love Elta MD sunscreen – I get it from my dermatologist and it has spf and zinc for sun protection and is slightly tinted. As soon as i started using it I had no more need for any powder and I get compliments on my skin all of the time!
I’ve also discovered dr bronners coconut and lavender bar soap for the shower…you can get it at any drugstore and it lathers so well and is organic.
Thanks for the recommendations! That Elta MD is good stuff!
i love Erborian BB cream those it can be hard to find instock. i also have one from Boscia that is decent. i like the Amika dry shampoo too the one in the crazy multi colored can. i do like living proofs as well. i think Batiste is good but not as good as those two. i love to use dry shampoos !
Thank you for the recs! Super helpful!
I love the Living Proof dry shampoo as well, but recently fell in love with another that may be even better…it is by Wella and it is wonderful! I will also be trying the Amika dry shampoo as I love everything else by them 🙂 I’ve used the Rusk Speed Freak hair dryer almost my whole adult life and it lasts forevvvvvvver.
And as far as BB and CC’s go…oh boy, I’ve tried so many! I like Lune and Aster from Blue Mercury, and have just started using Kiehls (tinted with various shades) and SPF 50 and LOVE it! Highly recommend, Jen!
Thanks for the FYI on the ROC eye cream and Trish eye shadow/liner, I’m definitely going to try both!