Monthly Beauty Favorites | September 2014

For me, September began with some awful skin. I was breaking out all over my face and my skin just looked horrible. I decided to go back to some old favorites which I had stopped using (mostly due to sheer laziness). The Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing Brush (which I somehow forgot to include in the picture) is something that has been hyped from here to high heaven, but I'm here to tell you that all of it is true. 

I credit the Mia with getting me to a place where my skin glowed and I was actually getting complements on my complexion. This might not seem like much to you, but for a girl who has always had oily, acne-prone skin, it definitely felt miraculous. When my skin starting acting up this month I knew just the thing to get it back on track. And somehow, by using the Mia to cleanse and the Pixi Glow Tonic to tone, my skin recovered within just a few dates. I was kind of shocked by how quickly my blemishes started to disappear and how much better my skin looked as a whole. All I can say is I'm definitely back to using both products daily! They might seem pricey, but they're an investment in my skin which really does pay off.

In the last few months I've been searching for a hand cream that makes my hands feel moisturized without an overwhelming scent or oily feeling. I'd heard such great things about Soap & Glory's Hand Food Hand Cream and decided to give it a try. Now, although the scent is definitely strong, it's absolutely fantastic! It smells incredibly sweet (like marshmallows) and kind of makes me want to eat my own hands. It also leaves my hands feeling soft and moisturized and comes in a mini size that's perfect for keeping in my handbag.

My makeup this month has been fairly simple. I've been trying to 'shop my stash' and use up some forgotten products that have been hiding in my makeup drawers. I stumbled across theBalm's Sexy Mama Translucent Powder, which I had completely forgotten about after I hit pan and pre-emptively bought a new powder. This adorable retro packaging holds a great pressed powder which gives a nice, matte finish to the skin.

Another rediscovered favorite found shopping my stash was the NYX Powder Blush in Taupe (which I depotted). This color is cool toned and a great natural contour for pale skin, which can often look strange with a bronze contour. It's a great alternative to bronzer in the colder months!

On the lips, I've been relying on the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Super Natural. It's the perfect natural, muted rosy shade that gives you an understated look without being NUDE. It's also a no-brainer that doesn't require a mirror to apply. Sadly, my tube is about to run out. 

On the cheeks I've been loving the mini version of Josie Maran's Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée in Pink Escape, which the lovely Violette of Violette Rouge gifted me with. It's a little scary looking in the pot but when you dab it on your cheeks with your finger and blend it in, it gives you the most natural looking flush of color.

Finally, to take all my makeup off I've been loving Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water, which my mother lovingly brought me from Portugal. It's not available in the States but you can find it online at an incredibly marked up price. It removes my makeup as well as a traditional liquid makeup remover but without the oily residue. It feels just like water on the skin! I'm a little scared at the prospect of what I'll do once I use the whole bottle up. Might have to start begging my family members to mail me some.

Those are the products I've been loving this month! Have you rediscovered any old favorites this month? Any new products you want to rave about?

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