New in and loving

Some of my posts have a theme, and some are just a random assortment of products that I’m loving. This one falls in the latter category and mixes hair, makeup and skincare all in one post. Here are a few products I’ve been testing that warranted a review on the blog:

1. Drybar Texas Tea Volumizing Shampoo and Happy Hour Weightless Conditioner – I don’t tend to test out too many hair products because I like to stick with what works for me, but I have heard so many great things about the Drybar line that I was intrigued. The volumizing shampoo is lightweight and gives my hair a good ‘oomph’ at the roots – but the main selling point was the fact that it didn’t tangle my hair in the shower. Many shampoos work great but because my hair is naturally curl, they will cause it to become a tangled mess while washing it. The weightless conditioner made my hair feel smooth and silky, but I made the mistake of using too much at first and my hair was a greasy mess. The key is to use just a small amount on the ends of the hair to get the best results.

2. Charlotte Tilbury Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder – I am already in love with a ton of Charlotte Tilbury products (this palette in sophisticate, this concealer, this mascara), so I had a feeling this powder would perform as well. And it did. It is so finely milled that it feels like nothing to the touch, but gently creates an airbrushed finish to the skin without making it look flat or dull. It manages to give a velvety yet radiant finish to the skin (sounds like an oxymoron but it really does!), while keeping shine away for most of the day.

3. Tom Ford Blush in Frantic Pink – So much attention is always placed on the new color collections that classic staples from each makeup line go unnoticed. I recently had a gift card to spend and instead of splurging on a new item, I decided to go for a product that has been on my radar for a while. This is my first Tom Ford blush and it certainly won’t be my last. Unfortunately the lighting really washed out the color because it is definitely more vibrant than it shows below. It is the most perfect punchy pink on the cheeks. Completely summer approved but still a blush that can carry you into fall and winter. And it manages to straddle the pink/peach divide quite well so it will work with just about any eye shadow look – gray, brown, green or plum.

4. Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate – Initially what drew me to this eye cream was that it can be used for the entire eye area, even the lid. The texture is a rich cream which can be hit or miss with me. Sometimes rich textures can cause milia under my eyes, but thankfully that was not the case with this one. It instantly nourished and hydrated the area making me look more awake and refreshed. I particularly like to use this in the morning because I find that it helps to smooth the under eye area quickly and even has a slight depuffing effect for me. And after a sleepless night (I struggle with those often, ugh), it helps to pull my under eye area together quickly so I can get out the door.

These “New In and Loving” posts are some of my favorite to do. It’s like a mish-mash of all different beauty things that I’ve tried and really enjoyed. Today’s post ranges from skincare, to body products and makeup – in essence it’s a little bit of everything.

1. Ahava Dry Oil Body Mist Cactus & Pink Pepper – First of all, I love oils. Second of all, I love the scent of pink pepper. But these together and I’m bound to love a product. While I have way too many body products at home, including many different oils – the one thing I hate about most of them is having to apply them with my hands. I love the idea of a spray applicator. One of my favorite body lotions of all time (this one) and my holy grail sunscreen (this one and yes you need it) both have spray nozzles and make the application process so much easier. I still have to rub it in, but to be honest the mist for this Ahava oil is so fine and delicate that in a pinch, I can get away with a spray and run. So application aside, the texture of this oil is perfect for those who want the hydration of an oil without the tackiness that often comes with them. This oil is so lightweight and absorbs almost on contact which makes it a perfect morning time staple for me. And the scent is so light and fresh, I have actually skipped fragrance a few times when wearing this.

2. It Cosmetics Your Brows But Better – It’s hard to pull me away from my two favorite brow pencils, this one and this one, but I was intrigued by a brow pencil that claimed to be a “universal” shade. I did give it the side eye for a second, but surprisingly it worked perfectly! It’s an easy to wear brown shade with a gray undertone that doesn’t darken throughout the day. I am wearing it in this Instagram picture and think the payoff is quite natural. I am still unsure how it would look on those with super blonde hair, but to be honest I could see almost any shade of brunette or those blondes with dark roots pulling this off quite well.