Classically Dan

I'd love to say that I've been saving my money, but I can't. I try and justify my purchases by reviewing them for this blog and for Pretty Chatty. There's a lot of products that were everyday staples on my desk and in my purse during July. Some are brand new and some are old favorites.

Face Products:

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup- This is my current go to foundation because it gives really amazing coverage while still feeling light and lasting a long time. It's basically the perfect summer face makeup for me. I broke out a lot during my trip to Alaska and this made my face still look flawless, but not cakey. I have to say it was difficult to pick my shade because they all look the same in the jar, but I would imagine if you use the original Colorstay that the colors match? It's also less like whipped creme and more like the consistency of ice cream or whipped cream that's starting to melt. haha

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette- An old tried and true concealer favorite. It's an amazing value with four different squares: a lighter shade, a darker shade, a green tone for concealing redness, and a setting powder. I use this for my blemishes, redness, and for my undereye circles too.

COVERGIRL Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder- I picked this up on a whim from Target and I'm so glad I did. It's a great setting powder without being overwhelmingly cakey or breaking me out because it's oil free. I blot during the day if my foundation happens to start melting and it leaves me looking matte.

OPI Strawberry Margarita- This wonderfully pink punchy polish was purchased for me by my best friend, Courtney, for my birthday. It's a great summer staple for nails or toes and the formula is opaque in one coat.

Eye Products

COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Waterproof- This is one of the best drugstore waterproof mascaras available. It doesn't smudge, smear, or move. It stays put when it has to and it removes easily with eye makeup remover when the day is done. I like layering this over my L'Oreal Voluminous when I know it's going to be hot out (so basically everyday in Arizona) or when I'm going swimming and my lashes look very thick and black.

Tarte Clean Slate 360 Creaseless 12 Hr Smoothing Eye Primer- I love this eye primer a lot. I have the mini size and it's lasted me over a month. This primer is like a hybrid of Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer Potion. It's thicker than Shadow Insurance, but thinner than Primer Potion and a little goes a long way. My shadows don't melt or crease and stay put even after a long day at work. I even use this under my undereye concealer to keep that from creasing.

Lip Products

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart Valentine- I love love love this product!!! I talked about it in my new summer beauty releases and I was right, it's phenomenal and it's inexpensive. I can't compare it to the Tarte Lip Surgence pencils because I've never used one of those, but it's a great long lasting twist up chubby pencil stain. I think the colors just pop and really stain your lips. I haven't heard great things about the lighter colors because they're sheerer and don't wear quite as long as the brighter, deeper colors.

Chapstick Lip Shield 365- This has been my go to lip balm because it's perfect for all kinds of weather. I used it everyday on the cruise because the colder weather really dried out my lips and I've been using it everyday since I've been home because of the SPF 50. It moisturizes and protects your lips from sun burn perfectly.

(Picture via)

NARS Joie De Vivre Cheek Palette- Ohhhh I saved the best for last, absolutely. Surprise!! This is mine and Hannah's birthday present to each other. (If you remember, the Urban Decay NAKED 2 was our Christmas present to each other haha.) I first spotted this a few weeks ago in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale preview catalog and I texted Hannah instantly, knowing it'd be a must purchase item. We're self proclaimed NARS blush-aholics. We both passed on the Sephora exclusive Danmari blush palette this past winter and we're so happy we did because this is right up our alley color selection wise. It's a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Exclusive and contains Laguna bronzer, Albatross highlighter, and blushes in Orgasm (our favorite), Angelika, Luster, and Gaiety. I'm so happy to finally have my hands on it because it's perfect. Make sure to snatch it up quick if you want it because at $65 it's an amazing value and there is a limited selection for a limited time starting for Nordstrom cardholders today and the public next week, I believe.

Let me know in the comments what you're current makeup favorites are and definitely follow my blog if you haven't already!!!

xx - Dan

It's crazy to believe that it has been a month since we left on vacation and I'm just now getting around to the actual cruise pictures. I'd have to say it was the time spent on the boat that I loved the most. I have such an amazing family and it is never ever a dull moment. The entire trip was full of inside jokes, lots of laughing, and some very very late nights. It was the first time we all went on vacation together and it was way overdue. As some of you know, my family is extremely close like we still have sleepovers close. My cousins are like my brothers and sisters and my aunts and uncles are my other parents. I wouldn't have it any other way because it's so rare to have a family so close.

As you'll see below, we had so much fun together and there were so many amazing memories that I will cherish for the the rest of my life, as cheesy as that sounds.