Summer Favorites #sundayskincare edition

I love 'Favorites round up Blog Posts' but the one thing I don't love about them is how LONG they usually are.  So, I will try to keep this one as short as I can while giving you the important deets!

1.  FRESH Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence

At first I couldn't really determine if this product was really making a difference in my skin.  It just felt like a step in my skincare routine that I could do without.  But then I started noticing the texture of my skin improving over time.  It's not an overnight miracle worker but it's definitely a heavy hitter when it comes smoothing out your texture and helping to diminish dark spots.  Kombucha in my tummy and Kombucha on my skin, yes please!

2.  DRUNK ELEPHANT Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

I'm not sure if Drunk Elephant figured out how to bottle Unicorn tears or what but this stuff is worth every drop.  Now ya'll now I'm oily AF but I am very specific in how I use this in my routine.  Either I use it at night and wake up with skin that looks like the baby Jesus blessed it Himself.  Or, I use it during the day with the D-Bronzi Serum for a "no makeup" makeup look!  I've been using it for my no makeup look A LOT this Summer and absolutely LOVE the beautiful glow it gives my skin.  I will say that I tried using this under my makeup and found my foundation slipping around quite a bit once my natural oils started to come through around midday.  

3.  KIEHL'S Clearly Corrective Line

Listen to me.  When I say this ENTIRE line is a secret gem, I mean it!  Remember, a few months back when Kiehl's invited me to learn more about their apothecary personalized serums?  Well, I've been quietly using and testing these products since then!  First off, the Clearly Corrective Brightening + Exofoliating Daily Cleanser is now my Staple exfoliator when I'm not using my Clarisonic.  Use it consistently, and you will notice your breakouts become nonexistent.  Be careful using the Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution in sensitive areas because this stuff is no joke!  It's potent, strong and IT WORKS.  I'm VERY careful to only use this in specific areas when needed.  And lastly, the Brightening + Smoothing Moisture Treatment is probably the first of it's kind that I've ever used.  It has a Jell-O like consistency but melts onto your skin to provide the perfect canvas.  If you come by a value set that includes these (3) products specifically then GRAB IT.  Otherwise, trust me when I say you need these if you're battling hyperpigmentation.

4. MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation + Ultra HD Perfector Blurring Skin Tint

The Summer season isn't an Oily girl's favorite season when it comes to makeup.  It's a constant struggle to find the products that won't make me look like a frying pan.  So when a brand comes out with a new foundation product in the middle of the Summer, I pay close attention!  I expect it to be formulated to wear well throughout a hot day AND be lightweight.  Both of these foundations from Make Up For Ever are just that!  HALLELU!  The Matte Velvet Skin has a new package and reformulation that I am LOVING.  No more cake face and no more heavy feeling foundation at the end of the day.  You heard me right!  It still feels lightweight at the end of a long hot summer day.  I've been using the Matte Velvet Skin Foundation only on my trouble areas as it's (true) Full Coverage and I don't want to look like I'm photoshoot ready by using it all over.  I love the way it looks more like skin and less like a mask despite how much it covers.  Now the Ultra HD Skin Tint is the total opposite when it comes to coverage.  It gives you a nice sheer (think BB Cream) foundation look which I love to use in the center of my face.  Wearing this in the center of my face with the Matte Velvet Skin Foundation along the perimeter of my face gives me the PERFECT coverage.

5. BECCA First Light Primer

The lavender shade of this Primer in the bottle had me a little skeptical at first, can't lie.  It just doesn't seem brown girl friendly at first.  So, I did what any of us would do and applied it to the back of my hand to see what it was all about but turns out, it does go on sheer!  Thank you Jesus!!  Not only does it apply sheer but it totally improves the appearance of your skin before you even put foundation on.  You probably guessed it already, but this is amazing with your "No Makeup" Makeup look or if you actually plan on wearing no makeup, LOL.  I haven't used a Primer in a long time because I generally don't see a true benefit usually but this one has had a reoccurring role in my daily look!  Love, love, love using this with a pump of the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Serum, OMG... it looks so bomb + natural.

Well I'm going to leave you with these recommendations for now so I don't have us all broke!!  Believe me, this list could be a mile long but I'm trying to be a better friend to you.  Now if you have questions about other products, send them over.  That's totally different!

XOXO Candice