Hey, so for May's monthly favorites, I've decided to divvy up my picks into two categories: Mind and Body. I've got quite a few beauty products I think you need for summer, but I've also been making the most of my free time and treating myself to small moments of self care whenever possible, so I thought I'd include some of my go-tos for this as well. Everyone wants to look glam, but everyone needs to de-stress, am I right?
I've been obsessed with this facial spray for a couple months now—ever since DHC invited me to Washington, DC to announce the product's launch here in the U.S.! I've already gone through two because I keep one with my skincare and another in my purse, and I don't plan on being without it ever again. Super collagen is exactly what it sounds like: all the benefits of traditional collagen, plus more, thanks to dipeptide-8 which amps up hydration for the skin. I spritz this before I apply serums and after I set my makeup, as well as whenever else I need a little refresher.
Speaking of refreshers: these have become an absolute necessity whenever I leave the house. If you're like me, you came to New York to adventure, and one of my favorite hobbies is simply roaming the streets and seeing where they take me. That said, if I leave my apartment early in the morning, I'm not trying to walk all the way back home to touch up mid-day. Being able to whip out a wipe is the ultimate way to refresh post-gym or after sitting out in the hot sun for a little too long. I've also been pretty fond of their Hair 101: Hair Blotters, which are basically charcoal oil-blotting sheets for your hair. If you're like me and struggle from greasy roots, having these on hand is a must.
Okay, so I PROMISED myself I would give you guys a before and after shot to prove how well this product works, but here's the thing: it's so good that I can't bring myself to not use it just for the sake of getting a pic of my brassy strands without it. A few drops of this toner into your conditioner, hair mask or styling products will virtually transform yellowing blonde back to ashy goodness, and I am addicted to how easy it is to use these and make my color look perfect. As someone who likes to live the balayage life but doesn't like paying for it, these are saving me major cash by helping me go longer in between salon appointments. I can't stop recommending them to people!
This product sat in a bin of skincare for months before I realized all the magic it possesses. You've already head myself and the rest of the internet gush about our love for the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (I included it in my Skincare for Glow-Getters post!). It was the only mask I had ever used that instantly left my skin cooled and visibly plumped, filling in my fine lines and giving me a boost no matter how sleep-deprived. I'm happy to report that this La Roche-Posay mask costs $30 less and delivers the same exact results! It's quickly replaced my other moisturizers and primers thanks to its line-filling properties. If you suffer from dehydrated or dry skin, using a hydrating mask as your daily moisturizer is a great tip for making sure your skin looks its best.
I'm someone whose mood is deeply impacted by scent, and the right smells can always perk me up or help me relax. I've always been a candle lover (see below!) but I can't risk keeping them lit longer than a few hours, especially not overnight. Cue my aromatherapy diffuser by Vitruvi, which I am truly, madly, deeply in love with. I load this baby up with some Lavender essential oil every night before bed, and it helps me unwind and get to sleep quickly and comfortably. If you tend to have your mind race once your head hits the pillow, a little lavender can help you relax and get sleepy. As an added bonus, this is definitely the cutest diffuser I've ever come by, and it looks pretty chic styled on my bedside table with my plants!
Reading Great Books (by Women!)
Netflix is boring me, and I've been reading like crazy as a result. Talk about a great problem to have. The perfect day for me definitely involves roaming the aisles of Strand Bookstore, and coming home to snuggle up with whatever new find I've picked up. Some of the best books I've read over the last month or so are Unwifeable by Mandy Stadtmiller, Salt. by Nayirrah Waheed, Indecent by Corinne Sullivan, and Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon. Hell yes to incredible women authors!
While my lavender vibes get me ready for bed, I've been decking out my apartment with this super summery scent to give me a boost during the day—there's no way I'll do it justice with my own description, so if you're wondering, the scent is described as an "uplifting fragrance blend of sparkling pink pomelo, wistful peony petals, and delicate apple blossoms". Yum. I currently have the stunning botanical reed diffuser doing double duty in my living room as both fragrance and centerpiece. In addition, I've got one of the larger candles serving as decor thanks to the visible leaves and petals within the wax, and a smaller tin can candle being saved for my next apartment (I move this summer! Moving/decorating blog posts, anyone?)
Keeping a Planner
I first got hooked on planning after working with the Erin Condren team last year, and now that we're in 2018, I've decided to start fresh with a new planner size and style. While I once opted for a full-size book, the mini Happy Planner is perfect to throw in my tote and take to and from meetings and all around the city. Planning doesn't just keep me organized—it seriously makes me more social. I find myself making plans solely for the purpose of having something to write in my planner, and it's a good way to make sure I'm making time to see my friends as well as scheduling "me time". I also keep a list of daily gratitudes for each week, so I can look back and have something good to reflect on for each and every day.
I hope you guys liked this new style of favorites! What were you loving in May?
