The June Edit: My Personal Favorites

A review of the cult beauty & fashion products I discovered during the month of June, along with some lifestyle favorites.

New Clean Beauty Heroes

100% Pure Luminous Primer ($38.00): Infused with the natural anti-ageing goodness of resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found naturally in grapes, it is a wonderful nontoxic primer that helps makeup stay put longer. A wonderful addition to your summer makeup bag, it helps my skin look nice and dewy and makes my BB cream application a breeze. As I am a great supporter of the no-makeup movement, I like to use it as a priming base and only add concealer to the problematic areas. The fact that it has some reflective pigments to diffuse flaws doesn’t hurt either! This is a vegan and 100% natural product made in the USA.

Weleda Natural Tinted Lip Balm in Berry Red ($11.78 at Amazon): I am smitten with Weleda’s new tinted lip balm line because it delivers a very elegant and subtle color that is very moisturizing. Formulated only with natural ingredients certified by Natrue, it is perfect for an understated day look or a polished office look. Non-sticky and suitable for sensitive lips.

Zakia’s Moroccan Black Soap ($16.40 at Amazon): I was very lucky to get to meet Zakia’s interpretation of the traditional Beldi Soap at the Editor’s event organized by Organic Spa Magazine. Zakia’s luxurious black soap is a wonderful exfoliator and moisturizer. Very rich in minerals and the natural goodness of olive and argan oils, it is perfect to detoxify your skin without stripping it of its natural defenses. A true antioxidant soap without sulfates, it is perfect for dry and sensitive skins.

Making a Fashion Statement

Tropical Print Cami Jumpsuit by Parisian at ASOS ($35.00): Calling all the queens of the concrete jungle! This super cute tropical print jumpsuit has been the latest addition to my wardrobe. Super comfortable and eye-catching, it features very cute side splits and hugs my figure at the right places. As I have eaten a tad too much jamon iberico lately, I decided to go one size up to avoid being uncomfortable (because, ya know, I have a stomach that loves to say hi) and it’s one of my best fashion investments ever.

Peyton Strapless Bralette by Yummie at Bloomingdale’s ($38.00): Remember my last post about the best wireless bras? It keeps getting better! Now Yummie has launched a glorious wire-free strapless bralette that is comfortable and gives an amazing cleavage for my strapless summer outfits (see the tropical jumpsuit above for an example.) Isn’t this simply genius?

But First, Coffee Henry Charles Makeup Bag ($38.00): If you invest a lot of money in high-quality brushes, why would you stash them in an unreliable makeup bag that squashes them? I met Henry Charles at the Indie Beauty Expo last year and I am still smitten with their But First, Coffee makeup bag. It’s cheeky, it’s fun, it’s saucy and it’s a great conversation starter. A super cool pouch for everything from keys to makeup, it is the only one that doesn’t ruin my makeup brushes.

The June Fragrance

Caudalie The des Vignes Eau de Toilette ($39.00): Caudalie’s signature fragrance, its sensual scent smells like a summer I spent in a vineyard. Feminine, with a touch of musk and innocence, it is a subtle and very elegant perfume that speaks of the French joie de vivre (happiness to be alive.) A new part of my personal wellness rituals, I love to spray it on my wrists to unwind after a long day.

Aromatherapy Discoveries & Books

AuraCacia Pillow Potion Essential Oil ($11.89): Do you find it hard to sleep during the hot summer nights? I personally do! This wonderful essential oil blend is a mixture of flowery lavender, yarrow and chamomile to quieten the mind and help relax the body. I put a few drops on the far side of my pillow and it really helps me rest even if it’s unbearably hot

The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out (by Mathilde Thomas, $17.89): Caudalie’s co-founder has written a wonderful guide to the beauty secrets of French women. Following Ines de la Fressange‘s steps, she unveils the meaning of what effortless beauty means and the best ways to keep a healthy skin that glows. I personally loved her DIY organic beauty recipes and her wonderful knowledge of both the American and the French cultures. Even from a cultural anthropology standpoint, this book is worth reading if you are interested in either natural beauty or women’s cultures.

All This I Will Give To You, by Dolores Redondo: When novelist Manuel Ortigosa learns that his husband has been killed in a car accident, it comes as a devastating shock. But not as much as learning that he was in Galicia, a mysterious land in the north of Spain, where he also hid his secrets. Alvaro’s death and double life trail leads Manuel to one of Spain’s most secretive families. A tale of love, lies, passion, and greed, this meticulously written novel describes the beautiful Ribera Sacra, its vineyards, and its long-lost traditions and mysteries.