Summer Favorites (2018)

Hello friends!
Summer is over in just a few short days. Can you believe it?

   So over the summer, a lot has changed for me. I did a major hair transformation, I started a second job (along with classes), and I started prioritizing self care above all else. So with that came a lot of new beauty essentials. So a lot of the favorites that you'll see in this post definitely pertain to those concepts since this season has been full of twists and turns.

Gel Nails

   As someone who works in both food and retail, I know what it's like to have my nails break off constantly. But this summer, my sister introduced me to the power of the gel manicure. Ever since I started having my nails gelled, they've been strong and have stood the test of time through all of my shifts. A couple of weekends ago, I went to a salon in Beavercreek to get my nails done with my friends Makenna and Jessica. We all tried out color-changing gel polish, per Jessica's rave about them. Mine are mint when I'm warm and grey when I'm cold. And sometimes they have their ombre moments. I love them!

Essential Oil

   I know that I've already mentioned essential oils in the past, but I'm still loving my lavender oil from artnaturals. It helps my headaches disappear, it helps soothe my anxiety, and it helps me fall asleep at night. A little drop goes a long way. Shout out to Angie for the oil and diffuser!

My Straightener

   Ever since cutting my hair short, my straightener has been an essential. Not only was this Remington one super affordable at Target, but it also works really well. It's nice and curved as well so it's perfect for not only straightening, but also curling. Curling my hair with a straightener is so much quicker than using a curling iron, that's for sure.

Neck Scarves

   I got a bunch of these for super cheap on eBay and I'm glad I've hung onto them. I've been wearing them all summer! They're multifunctional as both a scarf and as a headband. And they're better than a headband in the sense that they're adjustable. As you can see below, I wear them a ton on my instagram.

Matte Lipstick

   I feel like I mention a matte lip color in almost every favorites post I write. But this time, it's a drugstore favorite. My sister gave me this color since she said she never really wore it, and little did I know I'd fall in love with it. It's the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in the shade "Forever". It's a pinky color that feels super smooth on the lips. It almost feels like a chapstick! It doesn't dry my lips out at all. I'm absolutely in love. It's become an essential in my makeup routine for school.

An Eye Shadow Palette

   I feel like I don't need to say much about the Dream St. Kathleen Lights x ColourPop palette since I already dedicated an entire blog post to it. But I'll go ahead and sum it up by saying I love it! When I stayed at my grandma's house for a week, I decided to pack light with my makeup. So this is the palette that I ended up using every day. It's super duper trusty and pigmented. If you want to see swatches and a makeup look with this palette, click here.

More Oil

   If you're looking for stress relief in a bottle, this is it. When my ex's sister first gave me this Aveda Stress-fix composition oil at Christmas, I had no idea how to use it. But this summer, I finally started using it--all. the. time. This stuff is the perfect addition to any bath, since its scent is super natural and fresh. I also like to massage some into my scalp before I work out or before I shower in general just because it smells absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend this if you need a new aromatic oil to try out.

Working Texture Spray

   I first tried this Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray when I got a sample set from Target. And ever since I got my hair chopped short, I've been reaching for this stuff more and more. This spray is perfect for that messy, matte finish whenever I curl my hair. Or even when I want my hair in general to have a more "undone" finish. Super fun and worth a try.

Thank you all so much for checking in. What are some of your favorites from the summer?

Keep on grinning!

​Lydia