6 Things & My Honest Thoughts About Them
Brands mentioned: rhode, Benefit, Bath and Body Works, and Urban Decay.
Happy Tuesday, friends!
How was your weekend? How was the start of your week?
How do you feel about the fact that come Friday, August will be over and September will be here?
Overall, my weekend was lovely. I went to my favorite winery in New Jersey, called Brook Hollow. Our group did a tasting and then indulged in wine slushies. Mine was Merlot. I would highly recommend trying a wine slushie if the opportunity presents itself. It’s essentially an alcoholic Slurpee and is very refreshing in 80+ degree heat.
My week started with some high notes and some low notes. The high notes:
We are a little more than a week behind on Big Brother, but Mark and I have it DVRed, so we‘re playing catch-up. Someone I really don’t like is on the block and that’s always satisfying to see. (No one spoil anything for me, and I won’t spoil anything for you, okay? Glad we’re in agreement!)
I got a bagel with Lox for breakfast this morning (it’s Monday when I write this) and it was delicious
I received some *very* fun emails + locked down an exciting interview with a famous trainer for next week.
The low notes:
There’s only one, and it’s a big one. The ending to the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. I’m not going to spoil anything (per our aforementioned agreement) and, really, my reaction and your reaction are highly dependent on what *team* you and I are on. All I’ll say is, I’m stomping my feet and rolling my eyes, but I’ll definitely tune in for season three.
I’m also thrilled that September is within reach. If you’ve been here since the beginning, you know I’m a better *me* in the fall, and the first day of September means we’re that much closer to the start of my favorite season. Though, I will say, I used to wait until the first official day of autumn to indulge in all the fall things, but not this year. This year, summer dragged on for me, which means that come September 1st, I will be getting an iced pumpkin coffee from Dunkin and that will signify my wrap on summer.
And on that note, with a new season ahead comes new beginnings. New clothes to wear. New beauty products to test. New books to read. New foods to eat. I’m excited to share it all with you. Starting with this very post.
I am generously gifted PR samples quite often, but don’t always get to write about everything I try - whether I love them or loathe them. Up ahead, I list a few products I tried recently and give you my honest review of them.
**Please note that I am not affiliated with any of these brands, nor am I getting paid to write about them.**
rhode skin Glazing Milk
Photo courtesy of rhode.
$29, rhodeskin.com
Let’s start with one of Hailey Bieber’s newest additions to her skincare brand, rhode - the Glazing Milk. I was meh about this at first, but the more I use it, the more I like it. It’s a hydrating essence that does look like spilled milk in your hands. You need to shake it well before pouring out the product, and I find that rubbing it between your palms to warm up the formula makes it easier to apply on the skin.
The product claims it will help to reduce redness over time. My face gets red after I apply it. Once it fully absorbs, however, the redness does disappear. I don’t know that I necessarily love this product on its own, but I do like it as an add-on to the OG rhode trio. I’ll keep using it and report back with my final thoughts. Initially, though, I do like it, I’m just not as wowed as I have been about other essences/toners.
rhode skin peptide lip treatment
Photo courtesy of rhode.
$16, rhodeskin.com
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve waxed poetic about the Laneige Lip Mask. It’s still my favorite, but rhode’s lip treatment is a very close second. I love how just a little goes a long way, completely coating my lips with hydration and the kind of shine you’d find in a gloss straight out of the early aughts. I apply it before bed, in the morning, and as a topper over lipstick.
The brand recently dropped a limited-edition flavor - Strawberry Glaze, in collaboration with Krispy Kreme - and made rhode Vanilla a permanent part of the collection. Both are delicious.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Get Unblocked Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil
Photo courtesy of Benefit.
$39, sephora.com
I’m on a mission to find a makeup remover product that isn’t a wipe. This isn’t it. I did not love this. I didn’t really like it, either. I had to reapply to get all of my makeup off if I was wearing a full face, but whether I used it once or twice, I always felt like I had to drown my face before all of the product washed off.
Benefit CosmeticsThe POREfessional Good Cleanup Foaming Cleanser
Photo courtesy of Benefit.
$29, sephora.com
When Benefit announced it was expanding into the skincare category, I was excited. I love their makeup, so I had high expectations for their skincare. Unlike its makeup-removing cleansing oil, I do enjoy this cleanser. It’s really not super “foamy,” it makes bubbles and gets creamy, but it does feel nice on the skin.
I also don’t know if I just got a wonky applicator, but my only complaint is it dispenses very little at once. However, that little bit goes a long way, so maybe this is an intelligent design that helps users get the most bang for their buck. Or it was the (un)luck(y) of the draw. I’ll keep telling myself the former. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve had a similar experience.
Bath & Body Works Sensitive Skin With Colloidal Oatmeal Bubble Bath
Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.
$20.95, bathandbodyworks.com
I don’t know why this only has a 3 out of a potential 5-star rating on the B&BW website because it is lovely. If you enjoy bubble baths and have sensitive skin (or a sunburn!), this soak is soothing and provides the fizzy goodness you’re looking for. I also use it as a body wash and it felt good on my sunkissed shoulders.
Urban Decay Cosmetics Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush
Photo courtesy of Urban Decay.
$22, ulta.com
I was never a big blush girlie. I got really into makeup circa 2015 when colorful highlighter was the “it” cosmetic. My favorite was a collaboration between YouTuber KathleenLights and Makeup Geek (RIP). It was an entire blush palette, but the shade I was most drawn to was a purple-pink powder. It was awesome.
Highlighter is going to have its time again (I still use it on the regular, but I mean trend-wise), but blush is the thing right now. More specifically, liquid blush. There are dozens on the market these days (in my opinion, Selena Gomez started the trend with her brand, Rare’s formula), but I’ve really taken to this option from Urban Decay. The color options are gorgeous, a little goes a long way, but it’s buildable, so you can gauge how little or how much you like. My favorite is Drippin. It gives the illusion of sunkissed cheeks like I just came back from vacation.
Congratulations on the cover story!!! So so amazing & many more to come, I'm sure! Happy Almost LDW!!
Congrats on the cover!!!!