the things bringing me joy lately: beauty bright spots and little treats
Happy August! Somehow we’ve passed another month and man was July a doozy of a month. It has been HOT and dare I say I’m ready for fall, cozy nights on the couch, big sweaters, and the return of my leather jackets?
Unfortunately we’re only halfway through summer (because at least in DC, summer lasts until October), but fortunately for us all, I have some bright spot products that are keeping me going until it cools down.
*products with an asterick denote gifted products, and links may contain affiliate links, which earn me a small commission with every purchase. Thank you for your support!
Ciele Bronze and Protect Bronzing Concentrate*
I’ll admit I was a little hesitant about these but I’ve been reaching for them over and over again and finding them so much more versatile than I imagined. These are indeed very pigmented drops, and a little goes a long way. Shade 01 has a great golden tone for a warm sunkissed look, but I’ve actually been reaching for Shade 02, which is deeper but more neutral toned. When applied sparingly, the end result is a beautiful contour/bronzer situation. I also love it applied on my eyes with a dense fluffy concealer brush into my crease, and then blended out outwards toward my temples with a quick sweep of the remnants onto my lid for a subtle contoured look without any obvious pigment. Also catch my review and try on here.
Rhode Lip Tint
Everyone, including me, has been drawn into the new Pocket Blushes, and while those are a beautiful natural cream blush formula for an everyday look (Sleepy Girl and Freckle are my favorites, by the way), the lip tints are still my standout product from Rhode. They’re lightweight and juicy but stay on my lips for 3 or so hours before leaving behind a soft and moisturized finish. You can’t go wrong with the original treatment, but the new tinted shades are absolutely delightful – especially Peach Pit, a sheer peach, and Salty Tan, a sheer mauve. The sheer tint means you could apply layer after layer and not overdo the color. These work for me in just about every situation – as a lip prep product before lipstick, during the day to get a touch of color and some instant hydration, and also as an overnight treatment. There are few products that are a ‘gotta have them all’ situation for me, but these are one of them.
Eadem Le Chou Chou Skin Softening Balm* (code BEAUTYUNHYPED for 15% off)
For a lip treatment that feel like a blanket on your lips with instant nourishment. It’s hard to even compare these with the Rhode because they are such different formulas, but these are all around thicker, more nourishing, more pigmented, and longer lasting. The formula will stick around for hours, and as soon as I apply this formula, my lips feel instantly smoother. The Eadem balms have more pigment, and feel more like a makeup product although there is also a clear version!. I’m more likely to reach for these when my lips are feeling extra dry and cracked, or when I want a specific shade, whereas the Rhode are more of a casual everyday lip treatment. I swatch all the tinted shades in this reel.
Formula wise, the Eadem is definitely more moisturizing over time, which makes them my favorite lip treatment I’ve ever tried (fighting words, I know!!), but I reach for both Eadem and Rhode equally depending on the situation.
Phytosurgence Calm Conditions Lip Balm*
One more lip treatment that has really impressed me lately, and these come in a beautiful stick format. I got to try these a couple weeks early so I’ve been able to test this in a few different situations. I have one of the tinted shades, Brave Break, a rosy brown, but honestly the clear shade is really the sleeper hit here. Phytosurgence always has unique formulations and this balm is no exception. They have a waxy finish to start, but after a few swipes, they melt into a more soft but thin and grippy cushiony formula. They don’t feel slippy or thick at all, but they have an ultra lightweight grippy feel with a barely there shine that looks ultra natural – just like you have plump moisturized lips and nothing more. I have my eye on all the other shades, which are all designed to be barely there my lips but better shades – exactly my kind of look.
Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Translucent Loose Setting Powder*
It takes a lot for a loose powder to really impress me, because my current holy grail powder (BEAUTYUNHYPED for 15% off!) is about as good as it gets in terms of feeling light as air, undetectable on my skin, blurring, and oil controlling all at once. However, this new Laura Mercier powder is giving it some serious contention. I dare say it’s even more blurring than the By Terry powder, and feels just as lightweight and finely milled. Oil control is also excellent on the days I’ve worn it, though I need to give it some more tests because I officially declare it a new holy grail. However, given that this is about the same price for double the amount of product and is more readily available, I think this will be a great pick for all of my powder needs.
Moving away from makeup, a few more things have been making even mundane days just a little bit better:
Necessaire Hinoki Body Wash* (code UNHYPED for 10% off)
Necessaire already makes some of my favorite body care products, but the new Hinoki scent is out of this world. The typical refreshing earthy Hinoki scent is mixed with citrone, basil, and vetiver to make it feel extra refreshing, and it’s unlike any hinoki scented body product I’ve used. This body wash also includes 6% AHAs which I swear has made a noticeable difference in how soft and smooth my skin feels after a couple weeks of using this.
Nike Chill Knit Scoopback Mini Rib Top
Clothing and fashion are not something I’m passionate enough about to talk about regularly so the fact that I am in so in love with this top really says something. I bought this earlier in the spring and it’s one of those tops I have to keep myself from wearing too often because it’s just that good. It has a super soft rib knit feeling, but it’s also really light so I can wear it on hot days without overheating. Where this really shines is the cut – it’s slightly cropped, with a flattering slightly curved hem, and a low back that shows off just a bit of skin while still being bra-friendly. I can wear this with jeans, bike shorts, trousers, and just about anything for a casual sporty look that looks intentional and effortlessly cool and not like I just stepped out of a locker room. I have the light cool tan shade, and will be picking up the black, as well as the long sleeve version for the fall. What makes this even sweeter is that it’s currently sale on sale, so pick it up while you still can! I usually wear a medium in Nike, and medium is the perfect fit on me.
Jenny Bird Small Tome Hoops
I love a small but bold statement earring, and these little bold half hoops have been the perfect accessory to elevate the most basic t-shirt and jeans outfit. The half hoop comes in a stud format with the fun ball backs, which helps lighten the overall earring without sacrificing the hoop look. These have just enough curve and edge to add a little something different to my looks without looking too dressed up. Bonus that they in gold and silver, too.
The Three Body Problem series
Instagram followers know I am a HUGE sci fi nerd, and I’ve been working my way through The Three Body Problem trilogy. It’s one of the most hardcore and expansive sci-fi series I’ve ever read. I’m on the last book of the trilogy now, and very deep into this world. If you love books about aliens, political drama, philosophical commentary, and of course, hard sci-fi, this is a must read.
I’m going to try to keep this series going more regularly, because we all need some bright spots these days. Tell me what your recent bright spots are below, too. As always, thanks for reading.
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