August Favorites

So it's that time again ... monthly favorites.

This month, I don't have quite as many as usual mainly because I played with my eye makeup so much in August that I didn't really wear any particular shadows regularly. Still, I have some goodies to share - a few I've mentioned before and some I haven't.

I'll start with the Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup, which I reviewed here.

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation

This is a drugstore foundation that really has it all going on - it's hydrating enough for dry skin, feels lightweight on the skin, offers really good coverage, has a beautiful natural finish and lasts for 10+ hours even in the summer heat.

What more could you want?

I have it in 110 Ivory and it's a pretty good match for my super fair skin.  I highly, highly recommend this foundation especially if you have dry, normal or combo skin.

When it came to blush in August, I wore Tarte Airblush Maracuja Blush in Shimmering Peach to death.

Tarte Airblush in Shimmering Peach

Tarte Airblush in Shimmering Peach swatch

I mentioned this blush when I received my second shipment of the Tarte Miracle of Maracuja TSV from QVC - it's an interesting cream formula that has a drier texture than most cream products so it lasts longer on the skin.

But it's really the color that gets me - a gorgeous, shimmery peach shade that looks so healthy and glowy on the skin. It may actually be my favorite cream blush at the moment.

When I discussed the upcoming Laura Geller TSV, I mentioned that I've been loving the Balance-N-Brighten in Porcelain and it would probably turn up in my monthly favorites.

Well, here it is.

Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten in Porcelain

Technically, it's a powder foundation and I do use it that way sometimes, but in August, I used it exclusively as a setting powder.  The Porcelain shade is perfect for helping to color correct foundation that's slightly too dark or orange-y on my super fair skin.

If you are super fair, the Porcelain shade is really perfect - as you can see above, it's one of those swirled products and there's plenty of pink running through it to balance out any yellow or peach undertones in liquid or cream foundations. It's nice and lightweight too, so it doesn't look cakey on the skin.

For those of you with darker skin, it comes in three other shades - Fair, Regular/Medium, and Tan - so there's probably an option that would work for you.

Because e.l.f products are so inexpensive, there's a tendency to think that they can't really be any good. And while there are plenty of dud products in the line (as in any makeup line), there are some really standout items too - which are even more impressive when you consider how affordable they are.

One of my favorite e.l.f. products is their cream eyeliner, which is only $3 but offers great pigmentation and long wear.  This month, I got a new shade that I am absolutely in love with - Copper.

e.l.f cream eyeliner in Copper

e.l.f. cream eyeliner in Copper swatch

It's a gorgeous warm golden-brown with just the right amount of shimmer. If you've got blue eyes, it's a particularly pretty shade, though I think it would flatter most eye colors.

I also like using these cream liners as bases for a smoky eye and I love the copper for a pretty bronze  look.

For $3, it's pretty much a can't-miss product.

Because I was playing around with my eye makeup so much this month, I kept wanting a nice light, simple lip color that wouldn't be too much with a heavy eye look.

The Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Leslie totally fits the bill.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Leslie

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Leslie swatch

I got a deluxe sample size of Leslie in a Birchbox, Glam Bag or New Beauty Test Tube (I belong to too many sample subscription services to keep track) and I've been in love with it since I received it.  BE calls it a gilded pink pearl, but I see it as a shimmery peachy-pink (which you know is right up my alley.)

It's fairly sheer, but it's perfect on its own if you're wearing a smoky eye or over a lipstick for some shimmery goodness. I am a huge fan of the Buxom glosses in general, so you can't really go wrong with any of them.

Now, since I didn't have as many beauty favorites this month, I thought I'd throw in a couple of non-beauty related items for fun.

When it comes to TV, my favorite show this month (really, all summer) was definitely MTV's Awkward.

Now, I'm probably way too old to be so obsessed with a show about high school but this one hits all the right notes - it's funny, smart and sweet.  And it's got that one special ingredient that all compelling shows, movies and books seem to have - a gut-wrenching love triangle.

(If you watch, I'm totally Team Matty, by the way.  And yes, I realize I'm once again too old to be Team anyone or anything but there's something about that kid's smile that gets me every.single.time.)

If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch all of the episodes for free on MTV's website.

For music, I've been absolutely obsessed with Alexz Johnson's Stepping Stone EP.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I was a big fan of Instant Star, so I've always been in love with her amazing voice and this EP totally does it justice.  The lyrics are pretty amazing too - my two favorite songs are Walking and Stepping Stone.  Just gorgeous.

You can buy the album on iTunes.

What stuff had you super excited in August?  (Feel free to share non-beauty stuff too.  I love reading about what other folks are watching/reading/listening to too.)