1. Conditioning washes
I’ve been washing my wavy hair with conditioner to give it a break from harsher shampoos a few times a week for years, so it’s been kind of cool to see some of the big hair care brands embrace the whole “co-wash” trend as a thing.
When I feel minty, I use Pureology Hydrate Cleansing Conditioner ($34), because it makes my scalp minty and tingly (feels so clean!); Living Proof Curl Conditioning Wash ($26) or Living Proof Curl Detangling Rinse ($26) when I need serious, real-deal intense detangling; or Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash ($24) or Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque ($27) when my hair needs a shot of moisture.
2. The Girl’s Guide: Getting the Hang of Your Whole Complicated, Unpredictable, Impossibly Amazing Life, by Melissa Kirsch ($13.50 on Amazon)
Talk about practical advice on seriously everything! This terrific tome was probably written with college-age girls and 20-somethings in mind, but I’m sure women of all ages will find something helpful in it.
Tips like…
- Figuring Out What Looks Best on You
- How to Get a Haircut You Don’t Hate
- Hassle-Free Laundry
- Moving Home Doesn’t Make You a Loser
- The Messy Intersection of Dating and Social Media
- Where Are All My New Friends?
Finances, finding roommates, making and keeping friendships, cleaning, clothing — seriously, freaking everything! It’s like a kind older sister or a wise mentor…in paperback. Highly recommended.
3. “Strobing”
You didn’t hear it from me, but apparently “strobing” is the new contouring, and all I have to say about that is THANK GOODNESS. 🙂
Basically, it’s extreme highlighting, where you carefully place the product on whatever you want to showcase or feature.
Yeah, I’m down.
4. Sleeping masks
I’ve already got an intense skin care mask fetish, so I figured that sleeping masks would just be a logical way to take it a step further. You apply these before bed so they can do their thang while you dream of Johnny Depp circa the the 21 Jump Street era…
Multitasking at its finest.
5. Essie Polish in All Access Pass
This dark indigo-ish violet is equal parts moody and fun, and it’s my latest summer pedi crush.
Your turn, babe! 🙂 What are five (or as many as you can think of) things you’ve been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day.
Angela says
5 things….let’s see!
1) I finally picked up some Maybelline Fit Me concealer and I’m in love (and with something that doesn’t require a loan!)
2) Kat Von D all-matte eye palette (light & dark??). It is heaven and I cannot reach for anything else right now.
3) My Chanel lipstick splurge – only have a couple of these super expensive lippies but I love them SO much they’re worth it!
4) My JouJou vegan leather jacket (seriously, what does that mean?) in a colour I would have never normally picked but I am loving wearing it on the chillier mornings
5) Sorry gotta get sappy and even though I’ve listed it last, it’s certainly the most important thing to me: that my three beautiful children, husband, and myself are healthy. Aside from that, nothing else matters. And Karen, I am grateful for you and so in love with your blog. Thanks for all your hard work :)Happy Wednesday, indeed!
Ditte K. says
1. The weather is nice for motorcycle driving.
2. I have a kitty who likes to visit me.
3. My new rouge volupte lipstick in the colour 12, which is perfect for summer.
4. Fresh strawberries and raspberries freshly picked that I can buy really cheap from a farm on my way home from work.
5. I just received a fresh pan of urban decay’s eyeshadow in the colour mushroom which is perfect for everyday wear.
Rachel R. says
Happy Humpday to you, too.
My list:
1) JCat Pout-holic lipsticks. Inexpensive, good quality, weird colors. Right up my alley.
2) Jordana Dramatic Effects Mascara. Same as above. I’ve only tested the red one so far, but I really liked it. I didn’t have an allergic reaction, so “YES!!!” I got all the colors. For $2.99 each, I figured whatever didn’t work on my eyes, I’d streak in my hair.
3) I’m loving strobing as well. It’s much more pale-girl friendly than heavy contouring. I just got the L’oreal Lumi powderhighlighters in your picture: I got Ice and Rose. I can’t figure out why they get so much hate. They are too strong for all over the face, but they’re perfect for strobing. I haven’t found them powdery at all. Total win in my book!
4) Azelastine HCl (Rx) and Zaditor eye drops. My allergy symptoms manifest really strongly in my eyes. These are the only things keeping my eyes from driving me completely insane. Not to mention allowing me to wear my beloved eyeshadows. Otherwise, they water so badly I can’t wear anything, and my stuff is all good for sensitive eyes. (Yes, I’ve been to an allergist, and take oral Rx allergy meds, too.)
5) Jewelry by Dawn Sterling Silver Fancy Anchor Earrings. I got them a while back from Overstock.com (I believe they’re still selling them), but I’ve been wearing them like crazy all summer. I’ve been really into alternative-nautical styles this season.
Alison M says
I need to try the LP Conditioning Wash to see if it kicks up my curls when I dont have time to blow-dry. The curling cream didn’t quite do it for me but I think part of that is what I used in the shower beforehand :-/
1) UD Perversion mascara for alllll the lashesssss.
2) Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme foundation mixed with NARS Pure Radiant TM. Fights my fine lines, covers, stays put, and *matches my skin* (can I get a hallelujah?!)
3) EkoCups Bold coffee k-cups. Recyclable, affordable, and so freaking tasty!
4) I just finished watching all available seasons of Cover Affairs. Binge watching, that is. Loved the action and the very yummy male leads.
5) Wine slush is rocking my world this summer. I was introduced to it when on a not-so-happy but very necessary trip to say goodbye to a loved one. It now brings me good memories and is icy cold for summer 🙂
Shannon says
Oh, I love this list! Let’s see, five things I’ve been loving…
1) having a makeup stash at work. I didn’t do this for a long time, because I always thought “but what if I need XYZ product while I’m at home??” As it turns out, as long as I’m judicious everything’s okay 🙂
2) cold-brew coffee. My husband has been brewing up concentrated batches of the stuff. (Basically: double the grounds, brew for 12-24 hours, strain. Add 1 part water to 1 part concentrate, and voila! Cold coffee.) I LOVE the taste. It has this wonderfully rich, silky quality, with less of the acid that you get from normal (hot) coffee.
3) Keane’s 2004 CD, “Hopes and Fears.” I’m having a throwback moment, and gosh is that album good.
4) L’anza Sculpt Dry Clay. I recently got my hair cut by a friend who’s a hairdresser, and she turned me on to this product (and this line – I totally want to check more of it out). Perfect amount of hold and definition and texture – and it looks matte without looking flat. So good.
5) Practicing mindfulness and gratitude. I just got back from vacation, and it’s really easy for me to slip into “I hate work” mode. But I’m working on noticing and appreciating the things that I enjoy during the day, and it really helps me to be more “zen.” 🙂 It’s just wild how much my outlook & stress levels improve when I’m working on being grateful.
Jessica says
I may have to try some of that shampoo for my daughter’s extremely curly hair. I have seen it, but never paid much attention to it.
Carolyn says
5 things I’m loving lately… Well my puppy Winnie doesn’t go on the list cause she’s always my favourite!!!
1. The warmer summer weather in Calgary has been pretty good this year. We’ve had lots of super hot days! I’m actually able to wear shorts this year!
2. Jealous Body Scrub in Coconut/Coffee. It seriously smells so good. I already bought myself a backup and sent one to each of my sisters. I’m actually showering even more just because I love this stuff so much. It makes my skin so freakin’ soft it’s crazy. And they ship free to the US and Canada.
3. Starbucks Caramel Frap, the ready made ones in the bottle. On days when I don’t give myself time to stop on the way to work these are awesome. I’m not a big coffee drinker but these I really like.
4. My plaid button up shirts. I recently bought a few from the same store on sale and they’re so soft and comfy I’ve practically been living in them. They also just brought out they’re fall colours and I already ordered a few more. They’re just so easy with anything, pants, shorts, leggings.
5. Boot Camp! I recently started taking a weekly boot camp workout class and I’m loving it. It totally kicks my ass each week but I have seen and felt a difference in my body, especially the day after. I’m what my sister calls “Skinny Fat” so I really just want to be in my best shape. I can’t even remember the last time I weighed myself so I could care less what that number is, I just want to feel healthy and strong. I already signed up for the next session and starting in September I’ll be going twice a week. The instructor also emails out a weekly workout challenge to do 3 times a week in between classes so it’s not just 1 hour a week.
Rachel says
1. Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain. I had to get this shade from the UK! And they get a pump and we don’t! What the heck!
2. I got a vintage loose powder compact from the 50s by Stratton and filled it with MAC Set Powder in Invisible. Omg I feel so fancy!
3. Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Siren in Scarlet – seriously.
4. Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm with a damp muslin cloth to remove makeup – again, the Europeans know their stuff
5. My Camelbak Eddy water bottle in purple – it’s HOT, y’all!
Jules says
In no particular order…
1) Urban Decay’s “Bad Blood” lipstick! (Even though it’s nearly an exact dupe for the “Mrs. Mia Wallace” lipstick from UD’s Pulp Fiction collection – the only difference is the finish – I’m actually really digging it. The only thing I don’t like about it is how easily it transfers.
2) All things Charlotte Tilbury. I have her “Rock Chick” eyeshadow palette (basically a smoky eyeshadow palette of awesomeness), “Bitch Perfect” (a gorgeous pink-peach colour), “Nude Kate” (a “a rich biscuit-beige hue”) and “Blondie” (a lovely nude gloss) and they are absolutely perfect.
3) Lancome’s Rouge In Love in “Rouge Rendez-Vous”. I originally started using this product because it was recommended in a Stevie Nicks tutorial, and discovered it’s a perfect “more than nude” lipstick!
4) Stila’s Convertible Colour in “Poppy”. Totally digging this! I saw it on “American Horror Story: Coven”, tried it myself, and absolutely adored it.
5) Stila’s lip glaze in “Kitten” and eyeshadow palette in “Spirit”. I know I’m cheating again, but… I love the names of the products (“Kitten” and “Puppy” in particular), plus the palette is really versatile.
Kim says
Happy Wednesday! My fave five right now are:
1. Anna Sui Lip Balm Jelly.
2. Lancome Baume in Love.
3. Garden Tomato Sandwiches (that should have been #1). 🙂
4. More free time (lull in boys’ weekday sporting events – yay!). Is that a “thing”? I’m making it a thing.
5. Summer movies (also making it a thing).
Kiss & Make-up says
Yessssh, sleeping masks are the best!
What I’ve been loving lately?
1) Bioderma’s new SPF spray (FINALLY dudes, finally!)
2) Clinique skincare
3) NYX Butter Glosses
4) Layered necklaces and wrist cuffs
5) Neuhaus chocolates (Yes, this is beauty related! Chocolate makes me happy and happy people are beautiful)
Chelsea says
5 Things I’m loving:
1. I just bought some Biolage haircare as recommended by my cousin / hairstylist during the Ulta Liter sale and my hair feels so nice! My winter shampoo was leaving residue.
2. Dresses! Wearing pants is for suckas.
3. My nails and toenails are currently bare, but Zoya polish in Aphrodite is the perfect glittery bright red I’ve been waiting for. Perfection.
4. Doing crosswords!
5. Less dry skin! I changed my birth control and my skin is no longer painfully dry and dehydrated. This was temporarily frustrating because I was breaking out, but is good in the long term because I can use more readily available and inexpensive skincare products, and my skin doesn’t hurt!
I just ordered the Glossier Priming Moisturizer and the skin tint, I’m very excited to think these could work for me.
Lauren says
Well, I’m obsessed with your sandals in this post!! Only 5 things?!
1) my little sample of La Mer Moisturizing Soft cream…this is the fountain of youth! If I could take a 0 off of the price tag, I could afford a big bottle! 🙂
2)MAC SOAR lip liner. Loved and wore it way before the Kylie Jenner phase, and was able to finally get one after being sold out. I think k this color would look great on every skin tone.
3) teavana tea…no wonder I can’t sleep!
4) bike rides at dusk…it’s cooler out, and there’s a calmness to that time of day.
5) my chubby dog!! He’s like an oversized kitty! He shod be #1!
Have a happy Wednesday, Katen! Almost Friday!
Lauren says
Oops! My auto correct just called you Katen! That actually should be your new name being a kitteh lover!
Lulle says
5 things I’ve been loving? In no particular order
– lavender earl grey tea (I already told you about that!)
– using a daily planner: I got one from Target that was cheap but still fantastic, and it really helps me get things done.
– Moroccan black soap: the only thing I’ve used post-workout or run for several weeks, it’s amazing to deep cleanse a sweaty body without drying out my skin!
– YSL Pop Water Glossy Stain in Eau de Corail: I stay away from the classic Glossy Stains because they feel uncomfortable on my dry lips, but the Pop Water edition is a whole other story. Love, love it.
– My Smashbox Double Exposure palette: the shades just work so, so well together. Not all the shadows in there are as soft and easy to blend as I’d like, but as a whole it’s an amazing palette with great transition shades.
Chas says
I love that colour (yes, I spelled that with a ‘u’…I’m Canadian!) on your toes!
1. Not getting sunburnt = Neutrogena CoolDry Sport sunscreen (I’m Filipino, but photosensitive so this new find is absofreakinlutely fantastic!)
2. MAC Mineralize blush in Warm Soul (as per your suggestion)
3. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. This is good if you like fantasy, kind of like A Song of Ice and Fire series (i.e. Game of Thrones).
4. Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX (makes me feel all fancy pants before I go to bed)
5. It’s a toss up between Clinique Smart Smart Custom-Repair Serum and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Isabella says
1. Love the Pureology hydrate shampoo, can’t wait to try the cleansing conditioner!
2. A tiny bit of Mac Saigon Summer lipstick over Dervish liner to make it more peach!
3. Mens boxers to sleep in! It’s also cheaper than buying something similar from the women’s section.
4. Bioderma Hydrabio mist I picked up in France
5. My Fender Stratocaster
gio says
1. Nicky Clarke shampoos. They smell amazing!
2. My new Zara jeans. They are so comfortable.
3. Cherry cheesecake brownies. So yummy.
4. Sleek Makeup eyeshadow palettes. So many colours and outstanding pigmentation.
5. Warm summer weather.
Angela Bonanza says
I loved this post!! Can that count as one of my five? It’s just such a great way to get five little bursts of happiness 🙂
Otherwise, I’ve been loving 1) walking around at night when the weather’s all cool and balmy, 2) “online shopping” on dating apps since I’ve recently become single, 3) a pleated cream-colored J Crew skirt I bought on sale for $20 (score!) that doesn’t puff out weirdly like all other pleated skirts I’ve tried (double score!!), 4) Almay Smart Shade Lip Butter in Berry-Medium – that stuff is seriously gorgeous in color/texture/feel – you need to try it!!, and 5) the Urban Decay Afterglow blush in the shade “Obsessed”, applied with a really big, fluffy face brush – it looks perfectly healthy and lovely.
Talk to you soon 🙂
Kalli says
RE: strobing, I ordered the Jaclyn Hill x Becca Champagne Pop highlighter and it’s on the UPS truck as we speak! It’ll be my first Becca highlighter and I’m so excited and I hope it’s at my door when I get home from work.
So five things:
1) I got a Clinique Cheek Pop in Cola Pop last week and I love it! It’s a really unique color and the formula is fantastic! I find it comparable to the Nars Audacious Blush and it’s almost half the price.
2) I rediscovered L’Oreal’s Voluminous mascara and we are in love again. I’m using Carbon Black and it makes my really fine, light brown/blonde (but long and naturally curled) lashes look great thick and full without flaking. Bonus in that the brush isn’t super fat.
3) My girlfriends and I found a new happy hour place yesterday that is central to all of our workplaces. Bonus: on Tuesdays they have Texas vodka brands on special ($3 Tito’s, yes please!) and their fried pickles are the best!
4) I got the new Naked Smoky for like next to nothing! $25 Ulta gift card and $20 in Ulta Platinum Points and I paid like $10 out of pocket. I wish Sephora’s Beauty Insider was more like Ulta’s rewards, I would probably shop there more.
5) I can’t think of a fifth one at the moment, haha.
Kellie says
I love your list Karen! I have been looking for a good co-wash, so I will have to check these out.
Let’s see, five things.
1.) Milk alternatives! I recently found out I am lactose intolerant (which I totally did not know is a thing that can develop as an adult…uh, I’m 30 and have always drank milk!) so I have had to find other ways to get my “dairy” on for coffee/cereal and such. I am IN LOVE with Trader Joe’s Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk. I love it on cereal, in coffee and in smoothies. I also still eat cheese because, how could I not eat cheese, but I have also found a great cheese alternative- Daiya cheese shreds! Oh my gosh these are so great on pizza.
2.) Overtone Deep Conditioning Treatment in Pink. I recently got some pink in my hair (first time ever doing a “weird” color) but it fades super fast. Overtone makes these great conditioners for pastel and vibrant hair colors that give you a color boost while conditioning! So Awesome! I actually hope they make regular colors someday too, because that would save some serious salon $.
3.) Iced sugar free vanilla soy lattes from Starbucks. My current coffee vice.
4.) My new job! I am working at a consulting company for veterinary clinics and we actually had an employee picture day where we brought our pets in to be photographed! Seriously…for a cat lady like me this was so awesome 🙂 My cat felt otherwise, he was super scared! Poor baby, but at least we have some cute pics.
5.) Retin-A. Seriously, this and cutting out dairy have saved my skin in the last couple of months. I was dealing with serious cystic acne breakouts due to hormones and just doing these two things and switching to a gentle face wash (Cerave Foaming)- acne is completely gone! So happy I was able to go see a derm!
Chris25 says
Yay, I love this post! Every month I do a similar post where I list 5 things I’ve been loving lately.
1) Plum lipstick topped with a sheer red gloss. It’s really vampy and sexy. I’ve been using L’Oreal Persistent Plum and an Essence gloss.
2) Walks around my neighborhood. It feels good to walk near my local park and listen to the birds.
3) Firefly. I just watched the series and I’m so sad it got cancelled after just one season.
4) Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus soap. It’s been good to my skin during this hot and humid summer.
5) Jewelry cataloguing. I have started cataloguing my own collection here: https://cazjewelrycloset.wordpress.com/
Trude says
I love sleeping masks too! I use Glamglow’s Thirstymud at night when I really need a boost.
1) Witches of East End. I found this on Netflix and watched both seasons in like a week. Who doesn’t love Julia Ormond? And there’s a bunch of great actors that pop up (like Spike from Buffy). 😉
2) Chicken salad on saltines. Can’t stop making it as a snack!
3) Shea Moisture 10-in-1 Renewal hair mask. OMG smells so good! I was looking for a mask in CVS that at least had some identifiable ingredients and tried this. My hair loved it, didn’t weigh it down at all.
4) Frozen peas. I keep these around when migraines creep up my neck, but I’ve also been busting them out to cool down after my workouts, since we don’t have a/c.
5) Clinique Color Pop lipstick in Punch Pop. This survived 5 hours out in the sun at the Renegade Fair in LA without a need for touch up. I’m totally ordering more colors.
Kelly says
1.) Urban Decay eyeshadow in Dirtysweet, which is in the Smoky palette. It is such a beautiful color, I’m not even sure how to describe it. Maybe a gold-ish, copper? It also has a light bronze in it too, ugh I don’t even know, but it is gorgeous! Blends super easily and is highly pigmented, I’m just in love.
2.) The iPhone game Agar.io. When I first tried it, wasn’t really into it. I didn’t understand it, kept losing, and was just confused. Now I play it so often that I’ve gotten trouble in class for playing it! It’s addictive!
3.) Purple lippies. Currently wearing Bite Beauty Lip Crayon in Grape, which is limited edition. If only I’d know, I would’ve stocked up! 🙁
4.) “Cool For The Summer” by Demi Lovato. I’ve been listening to this in repeat for the past 2 weeks, it’s so catchy!
5.) Yankee Candle products in the scent “Buttercream”. I’ve loved this scent since I was a child, my mother used it all the time in our house. When I was at the mall last week I stopped in and totally fell in love with it again. Candles, wax melts, tea lights, I bought it all, no regrets! 🙂
Heloisa says
Awesome products, Karen! I wish I could get my hands on some of those hair products and sleeping masks around here, but Florianopolis -BR is in another dimension. Can you believe there’s no Sephora here? There’s a MAC counter which opened less than two years ago, but the attendants are like make-up vultures, lurking around you and bugging you with small talk instead of letting you look at stuff. I can always buy on Ebay, but it’s a matter of luck (or lack of it). It can take a week or two to arrive, or maybe 4 months…
However, I find it so 1950’s to include “cleaning” and “laundry” advice in a book intended specifically for girls/women. It’s time for household chores to be the responsibility of the people who live in it, instead of only women’s. They should start putting these “tips” on Playboy and Men’s Health magazine too 3:)
Most women today work for a living, or as I would say, perform wage-worthy work. Still, domestic work it though as unworthy, a favor, an obligation, or even an “easy”, light kind of work (which isn’t, we all know that). Imagine if women stop doing household tasks for free. Men would either hire a maid (which is not cheap) or would have to do it themselves… I know I might be stretching people’s comprehension of what it is to be a wife or mother here, but my point is just that this needs to be discussed among the people who share the house in a way that’s fair and accommodates needs, instead of taken for granted, thrown over women’s laps and shoulders as if we’re “naturally” fitted for it.
Yeah, I know, pretty big rant of mine here, don’t be scared 😛
So yeah, I’m kind of a “revolutionary feminist”, I don’t own a TV and I don’t read women’s magazines… but I love makeup! Probably because I like art and painting faces is fun. But never to look pretty to strange men on the street, hahahaha Ugghhht!! 🙂
Maggie says
1. Amy’s Organic Dessert: I LOVE the Vanilla but the Mint Chocolate Chip is a close second. Soy and dairy allergies are nothing to worry about with this.
2. Tsubaki Oil mixed with body lotion. Sometimes, lotions don’t quite cut it but I’d rather not spend time rubbing in body cream in summer–hence, oils mixed with lotion it is!
3. Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Cream–15minbeauty mentioned that this helps with natural-looking volume (i get flat-head and with straight hair–awful!) and this definitely helps.
4. Citrix SPF 40–doesn’t break me out or dry out my skin or make it an oily mess. Just totally right–all year round (in summer, it doubles as my AM moisturizer).
5. MUFE Full Cover Concealer–this is what I’ve mostly been using. What a life saver!
Carol in a Page says
1. Right now I’m loving this post! And that Korres Greek Yogurt Mask!!!
2. YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats. I feel like nobody ever talks about these lipsticks, but they might very well be the best I’ve ever tried!
3. Summer, with its long days and endless possibilities… I love this time of the year!
4. Givenchy Mister Radiant. My face is way lighter than the rest of my body at the moment, so I use this to warm up my complexion.
5. I’m finally pursuing my dream to blog. This is by far my favorite thing!
Amanda says
The Aveda co-wash is good stuff! I have fine, slightly wavy hair, and it really cleans my hair. It feels like I’ve had a good shampoo and deep conditioner each time.
Laura says
1. The idea of mixing brow shades with a lighter shade inside and darker shade in the tail to highlight/do ombre brows. Never would’ve thought of it!
2. Becca Champagne Pop & Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light. I look downright glowy and stunning…. at 6AM in the office without being overdone.
3. Christian Louboutin Alta Perla nail polish- a chic neutral that’s GREEN. Perfect for hot weather yet will be great in a couple of months.
4. MAC Whirl lip liner. Girl…. you were right.
5. NARS Schiap lipstick- I bought it, tried it, thought it was too loud, put it aside. I’ve been reading a local fashion blogger and it’s her go-to. It always looks perfect, so I put it back in rotation and it rocks!
Cory says
No way will any sterling from Tiffany’s tarnish! I had one of those chain-link-like bracelets with the open heart closure back when they were all the rage, & I swear I showered with it, beat the crap out of it, & let it sit not in it’s box for ages, & it didn’t even come close to tarnishing. It did have scratches, but no tarnish.
Tiffany’s has the best sterling! Get it, Karen!