June 2014 Favorites

Jane Bronzing Powder in Give and Real Techniques Contour brush

Happy July, but let me talk about my June Favorites!  Let's start with a quick rundown:

1. Jane Cosmetics Bronzing Powder in Give
2. Real Techniques Contour Brush (comes in Core Collection set)
3. Jane Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Olive Branch (shimmer)
4. Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation in 2.1 Light Beige
5. JustFab Terryn in Black/White
6. JustFab Newportt in Nude (that's with two t's, Newport is a wedge)
 *JustFab Invite link

It's so rare to find a good drugstore bronzer that is TALC-FREE, but Jane Cosmetics offers this in four colors.  I picked this up in the shade Give, which is a matte, warm brown that's perfect for summer.  It also contains boron nitride, which gives it a smooth feel, and silica for absorbing oil.  (UPDATE: I added pics of Jane Dream bronzer below, which I now prefer over Give.)

I love applying this with the Real Techniques Contour brush, my number two favorite of the month, which comes in a set.  If you've used Real Techniques brushes before, you'll know the quality is very good; the bristles are super soft and the materials in the handle also meet a high standard. The brush is tapered and small enough to give a nice line in the hollow of your cheek.  I really recommend it!  I like to hold it at an upward angle so it blends out your contour line nicely. 

Talc-free pressed bronzing powder from a drugstore! =)

Jane Cosmetics shimmer eyeshadow in Olive Branch

 Number three on the list is Jane Cosmetics eyeshadow in Olive Branch, which is an antique green-gold shimmer.  It reminds me of MAC Sumptuous Olive.

Jane Give swatched lightly with contour brush (it's very pigmented, though) and Jane Olive Branch over Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Jane Give and Dream bronzers

Jane Dream bronzer

Jane Dream bronzer

2.1 Light Beige on left, bottom and 2.2 Light Golden Beige on right, top

Number four on my list is Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear foundation in 2.1. (UPDATE: I now mix one pump of 2.1 and one pump of 2.2 together to get an NC27 color.)  As an oily gal, this is my HOLY GRAIL foundation that I've been using for more than two years now.  I'm sad that it gets no love or recognition by YouTube gurus.  At $42, it's very pricey but worth every penny to an oily gal like me.  Don't let the "hydrating" part deter you from this foundation if you're oily.  It just means it doesn't get dry and splotchy throughout the day.  Think of it as a high-end Revlon ColorStay (the original runny formula), but with more yellow or warm tones.  That was the problem with Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation; it was always too pink or too neutral beige/gray for me, and it made me break out.  So if you had problems with Revlon ColorStay liquid, I highly recommend Smashbox Studio Skin! For reference, I'm about an NC25 and use shade 2.1.  If you're an NC30, I'd recommend going with 2.2 Light Golden Beige.

Smashbox Studio Skin
PROS:
~Stays put, little transfer, long-wearing (note: I always use a primer)
~Comes in 12 different shades that aren't pinkish (pro for me)
~Controls oil
~Doesn't oxidize and turn orange
~Has a matte finish (which is a pro for me)
~Bottle has a pump
~Coverage is medium to buildable
~Doesn't make me break out, talc-free, oil-free, bismuth oxychloride-free

CONS:
~Pricey at $42
~Can cling to dry areas or flaky spots if you don't exfoliate or moisturize properly (I pat with a damp beauty blender after applying with Real Techniques Expert Face brush) 
~A little hard to remove (I usually use witch hazel to dissolve it off before washing my face with my cleanser and Clarisonic. My Clarisonic brush head is really stained afterwards, but if you clean it properly it's no problem.)
~No SPF

Smashbox Studio Skin foundation ingredients.  I had this box for 2 years so it may differ a little in order from the current ingredients.

You can see the formula is liquidy but not too runny.  I usually use one and a half pumps. One pump is pictured.

This is one pump, heavily swatched and still wet.

This is a thinner layer swatched and dried.  Notice the matte finish.

2.1 on left, 2.2 on right

2.1 on left and 2.2 on right for all swatches.  Quite a difference between one shade.

JustFab Terryn in Black/White

Number five and six on my list of June Favorites are a couple fashion items.  Girl, these Terryn heels in black and white are hot!  I only wish they were 4" instead because that's a comfortable walking height.  I find myself walking more slowly in these, lol.  They are advertised at being 4.5" in height but they're really about 4.75" in height, and with no platform, she may be too steep for some ladies. The zipper pulls are gold and kind of breaks the black and white theme.  I think silver would have been better.  I ordered a half size up since they're a little steep and your feet will slip forward more, causing "toe-leakage."  I just made that phrase up, lol.  But I put on my trusty Summer Soles with every pair of shoes, so I'm good to go!

JustFab Terryn. LURVE!

I also love this bag called Newportt in Nude.  It reminds me of a Michael Kors Selma bag, but with some added details- the stitching in the bottom corners and the two hanging rings.  It's nicely structured, has feet, a zip-top, sturdy twisted handles and striped fabric lining.  The handles are hinged, so they don't stick up by themselves, and it also comes with a crossbody strap.  I only wish there was a zippered pocket on the back, but all in all, this bag gets an A rating.

JustFab Newportt in Nude

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great July!

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