Top 10 Summer Beauty Essentials: 2015 Picks ft. Uriage, theBalm, and Korean and French Makeup (Products I Actually Use!)

Summer is one of my favorite makeup seasons not only because the bright, splashy colors and bronzed, golden looks, but because it's what I consider the most minimal makeup season. The warmer weather calls for lighter coverage, while the humidity and beach- or poolside-oriented days require makeup and skincare that will last all day. Here are my favorite picks for summer so far, plus why I depend on them so much (and why you should too).

Summer Beauty Essentials

Skin

'Tis the season for perfect skin! Okay, so maybe that has less to do with the sunshine and more to do with how we're caking on less product, but I really feel summer skincare is more simplified. That said, with all the extra sun you're getting, you should definitely be taking extra precautions to take care of it!

1. Cleansing Water

Since I don't wear heavy foundation in the summer, I find myself not doing the whole triple cleanse thing every night, and just opt for a cleansing water (like the famed and ridiculously priced Bioderma Micelle) and face wash on a daily basis. I live for the Vichy Micellar Solution (my #1 pick!), Nature Republic Jeju Sparkling Water which is ubiquitous in Korea, and Simple Cleansing Micellar Water found at any drugstore in the States, whose price you can't beat either!

2. Facial Mist

Facial sprays are a must-have for me not only for setting makeup, but also to refresh your sweaty, heated faces from being out in the sun so long. I personally fancy the Eau Thermale d'Uriage because of its soothing and cooling benefits, and Caudalíe Grape Water for an instant moisture and mineral boost. Both sprays come out of a nitrogen can in a very fine mist rather than an annoying squirt, and contain NO alcohol or other irritating ingredients, which most other facial mists have. While these aren't exactly makeup extending sprays, they do help get rid of that powdery makeup finish, in the same vein as Mac Fix+.

3. SPF

Sunscreen is probably the NUMBER 1 summer necessity for me (although really, it should be year-round). Even a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure can harm your skin that won't only result in immediate discomfort (sunburns!) but also long-term, irreversible damage. One of my biggest gripes with sunscreen is how uncomfortable or tacky they feel, especially under makeup, so I opt for sheer, more fluid mediums that you can't even detect on the face, such as Uriage Hyséac Fluide SPF 30, which dries down to a silky matte finish, perfect for oily/combo skin. A Korean (and more affordable) alternative is the Etude House Sunprise Mild Watery Light, which has a really watery texture as its name indicates. The Uriage one contains physical SPF while the EH one is purely chemical, so make sure you know which works better for you.

A typical SPF routine should also include protection for your lips, a very sensitive but often forgotten part of your face. If you don't enjoy the idea of slathering sunscreen on your lips (as would anyone.....), invest in a lip balm that contains SPF. J'adore Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched (in the blue tube), which goes on clear but smells DIVINE and Grape Vine (in the green tube), which gives off a gorgeous sheer barely-there berry-toned tint.

Face

4. Tinted Moisturizer (in lieu of foundation)

As much as I love the coverage of my holy grail BB creams and concealers, the summer months are when I feel most confident about letting my natural skin shine. On an every day basis, rather than applying my normal base products, I prefer to use light coverage tinted moisturizers that will just color correct any redness or minimize any enlarged pores I have. A favorite of mine is the Urban Decay Beauty Balm, which flatters any medium-toned complexion (it may not match fairer or darker skin tones, its biggest flaw!) by smoothing out skin imperfections but still being lightweight enough to look like you're wearing no makeup. As an added bonus, it includes SPF (yay!) and fares well in the water too. Since it doesn't provide super high coverage, it wears off beautifully too—no worrying about touchups or makeup melting throughout the day!

5. Blush + Bronzer in One

Contouring is any beauty blogger's obsession, but I actually ditch it in the warmer months (eep!). The entire chiseling and sculpting routine is way too much for me, especially when my summer philosophy is less is more. That said, I can't ever skip my blush, so I love bronzier or even downright brown-toned blush shades that can serve as a blush+bronzer duo. Blushes like Benefit Dallas, a "rosy bronze," and theBalm Balm Desert really give you that sun-kissed blush effect. That "I just ran a few miles in the sun and now have a flawless tan" effect. That "I'm naturally rosy and glowy and bronzy" effect. You know what I'm talking about.

6. Highlighter

So, forget about contouring; STROBING is what 2015 is all about! Basically, it's a technique where you skip contouring altogether and just go straight to highlighting... everywhere. Cream highlighters are all the rage for this effect, but who has time for adding more sticky goopy stuff onto your face? I abide by my classic theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer for a golden glow, and when we're talking 2015, you can't forget about Jaclyn Hill's fancy collaboration with Becca ChampagnePop either.

Eyes

7. Cream or Potted Eyeshadow

I go pretty minimal with summer eye makeup, just because I can't be bothered to mess with smudging eyeliner and powdery eyeshadow fallout. My go-to look involves smudging a long-wearing cream eyeshadow like Stila Smudge Pot in my crease and blending it out with a lighter all-over shade like E.L.F. Smudge Pot in Cruisin' Chic (SO cheap yet SO good. This stuff won't budge on your eyelids).

8. Waterproof Mascara

This is something I reserve solely for the summertime because it's such a pain to get off. That said, it's an absolute summer necessity, whether you're splashing around in a pool or sweating up a hurricane in the sun. My favorite picks include the Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket which keeps your lashes curled all day with no drooping, and Innisfree Skinny Microcara, a Korean alternative which has a super skinny brush and bristles for clump- and mess-free application—perfect for lower lashes. Make sure to get the waterproof versions of each for summer, as both come in regular formulas (that I show love to every other season) as well.

Color

In all practicality, when it comes to minimal summer makeup, color cosmetics would be the last to go for me. But why would you even bother wearing makeup if you couldn't take advantage of the trendy bold and beautiful colors that scream summertime?

9. Vibrant Lipstick

I can't go a day without thinking about ColourPop, whose storefront boasts $5 products all over. Yes, you heard me right: FIVE DOLLA PRODUCTS. The $5 Lippie Stix are a lip lover's dream, especially because of the color selection they offer. As a normal neutral lip-lover, I venture out of my comfort zone when wearing Julep, a universally flattering "bright red coral in a Cream finish, perfect for getting down and dirty in the infield or classing it up in 'Millionaires Row'." If you aren't as feeling as daring, you should try Crunch, a more muted peachy coral in the Sheer line that will give you a hint of color, but not stand as much as a Cream finish.

10. Equally Vibrant Nail Polish

Zoya Selene takes the cake on mermaid nails—doesn't the sparkly teal remind you of a shimmering ocean? For a classic orange/coral summer color, try OPI Is Mai Tai Crooked? from the 2015 Hawaii Collection—it's the perfect fruity orange creme!

Tell me:

What are your summer beauty essentials? I'd love to hear what products you're loving this year!

Coastal Scents Revealed 1 & Revealed 2 Eyeshadow Palettes: Comparison + Comprehensive Review + Swatches!

Coastal Scents's Revealed 1 and Revealed 2 palettes have been around for a while, and they're infamous for being considered inexpensive dupes of Urban Decay's Naked eyeshadow palettes. The similar naming sequences, nearly exact shade matches, and comparable pigmentations have recently put the Revealeds in the makeup spotlight, so I decided to grab both during Coastal Scents's 50% Black Friday sale (yes, I know this review is a bit overdue).

I'll be comparing the two palettes with swatches in this post, as well as show you some dupes between the two to prove that they're really not ALL that different from each other. If you're torn between the two, look no further, this review will cover everything you'd ever want to know.

The Basics

Both Revealed 1 and Revealed 2 retail for $39.95, but seem to be at a fixed discount price of $19.95. Actual 50% discount, or Coastal Scents's sneaky tactic to make you think you're getting one? The world may never know!

Several times a year, CS will have the Revealed palettes on sale for 50% off, including during Black Friday's site-wide sale, which is when I got mine. I highly suggest waiting for these sale events to purchase these, or sign up for price alerts from each respective product page so you can be notified if they go on sale individually. $9.98 is a bargain for each palette, but 20 bucks is pushing it. I love these eyeshadows, but not that much.

Each palette is identical in size and packaging, other than the difference in color of the covers. The palette is slim and quite sturdy, made from cardboard with a magnetic closure. Neither sports a mirror inside the case, and since they are just an open fold, I don't think they would be ideal for traveling. The top flap is literally a piece of cardboard folded hamburger-style on top of the palette—not very secure for tossing around. A thin cardboard box is included for each, but who keeps those things anyway?

In comparison to the Naked palettes, the Revealeds are slightly shorter and wider (more square), but only about half as thin, which means you're most likely getting less product. Coastal Scents's website states the net weight of the shadows in each palette is 30 grams, which is around 0.05 oz per eyeshadow.

The color range is not drastic to me, but when swatched, you can see subtle differences between each and every shade.

Revealed 1:

Revealed 2:

Revealed 1:

Revealed 2:

And now for the swatches! All swatches were made on top of eyeshadow primer (I used Proof 10 from Etude House), in both direct sunlight and natural indoor lighting. I've numbered them the same way as they are in the palettes photos above.

Revealed 1:

Revealed 2:

As you can see, the color range is gorgeous in these palettes, and although many of the colors are strikingly similar, they're not exactly the same. The gradient of colors is perfect for nighttime-going-out eye looks, as well as for blending. These palettes are overall neutral, with only a few darker colors towards the end of the spectrum that can achieve super dark smokey effects, which means they're multifunctional—perfect for everyday eyes, as well as for more intense looks!

MOST of the shades are incredibly velvety and buttery; I can see where the resemblance to the UD Naked palettes would be apparent. However, I think it would be a far stretch to say they could replace the Naked palettes or are better. To me, they are significantly lower in quality, as made obvious by the powderiness of many of the satiny and shimmery shades. Two in particular from the Revealed 2 palette, shades 4 and 19, were absolute nightmares to work with. They don't just have fine microglitters in them; they have actual chunks of glitter that made the texture grainy and just overall terrible. This was particularly disappointing for me because #19 in Revealed 2 is supposedly a dupe for "Darkhorse" from Naked 3 (black with multi-chrome maroon shimmer), one of my all-time favorite colors from UD, and it was one of the worst ones I'd swatched. Even over primer, there was no way I could get them to blend out properly, and every time I dipped a finger or brush into them, they made powder fly everywhere, including into the other shadows :( I'm a huge stickler against color cross-contamination, and both those shades are the biggest downside to the Revealed 2 palette.

The few matte shades included are pretty much duds (e.g. shades 1, 4, and 20 in Revealed 1, as well as shades 2, 17, 18, and 20 in Revealed 2). It's extremely difficult to produce a well-made matte eyeshadow color because usually they're so patchy and unpigmented. Shade 1 from Revealed 1 is pretty much invisible; as you can see in the swatch, it didn't even show up on my forearm.

The aforementioned shades required multiple attempts of rubbing during the swatching process, which isn't something I have the patience for when actually applying shadow to my eyelids.

There are very, very few cosmetic companies that can successfully pull off matte eyeshadows (off the top of my head Urban Decay, theBalm and Lancôme are among them—coincidentally, their products are my eyeshadow holy grails), so I didn't have too high of expectations to begin with. Just based off the Revealed swatches, the shimmery colors are what appeal to me anyway, so I wasn't too disappointed by the patchy matte shades.

All that negativity aside, MOST of the colors, I absolutely loved—especially the shimmer finishes. The color, pigmentation, and blendability of the almost foil-like shades are phenomenal, and because of these, I do think the palettes are worth getting, even if you already have the Urban Decay ones! They're really not a huge investment if you catch them during a CS sale, and they're so smooth in texture and striking in color, that you won't regret buying them—I promise!

Now, it isn't absolutely necessary for you to buy both, especially since they seem quite similar overall, with only minor differences between the shades. Based off the packaging alone, you can tell Revealed 1 has more cooler-toned neutrals, with some warmer golds on the right side, while Revealed 2 is completely rose and rose-gold based, with several plum and pinker shades dominating the darker hues.

Comparing Revealed 1 to Revealed 2

You might be wondering about exact overlaps because you don't want to have to buy both if there are multiples in each palette. Fortunately, I couldn't find any obvious duplicates, which means you're getting 40—yes, 40!—distinct shades across these two palettes. That's serious bang for your buck that even most drugstore brands can't beat.

I did find several almost-dupes between the Revealed 1 and 2 palettes that I swatched side-by-side for you here:

The last shade in each palette was the only one that seemed obvious, but even when swatched they were not identical. They're both matte blacks, but for some reason the one in Revealed 2 is significantly patchier and more powdery than the one in Revealed 1. I found this to be a trend in quality overall; Revealed 1 simply had less "low quality" shades in both the matte and shimmery eyeshadows.

These seem almost identical under sunlight, but are slightly different in hue in the shade.

All four of these shades are comparable, but I thought they were all really pretty, so no complaints there :D

I already mentioned how grainy and powdery #4 from Revealed 2 is, as you can see closer up in the picture above. It's not even decent, it's completely non-workable. I'm tempted to depot it completely because I know I'll never use it!

Both of the above colors are pretty accurate dupes of Urban Decay's "Virgin," although #1 from Revealed 2 is slightly more yellow-toned than #2 from Revealed 1 is.

As you can see, none of them are exact dupes, just very very similar, so again, it isn't the end of the world if you can only get one of them, but it also wouldn't hurt for you to get both ;)

Verdict

While the Revealed palettes aren't exact dupes for the UD Naked palettes, they come pretty damn close. For the affordable drugstore price, the quality is simply unbeatable. I love how Coastal Scents offers a more affordable alternative to the overpriced Nakeds. Considering both Revealed 1 and 2 contain shades that Naked 1, 2, and 3 don't, I would definitely recommend these over the Nakeds you're shopping for makeup on a budget... and aren't we all??

I will warn you that the formula of some of the shadows will be too loose and powdery, and some won't even show up on the skin (eek!). Regardless, the versatility and overall performance of both palettes really impressed me.

I personally like Revealed 1 better than 2, even though the 2 has rose-gold colors I'm normally fond of. The quality of the shadows in Revealed 1 is noticeably better, and there are almost no dud colors, like there are quite a few of in Revealed 2. If you only had to pick one, Revealed 1 is the way to go. Or, you could be a crazy person like me and just get both 

p.s. This is the first swatch & review I've done—what do you think of the format?

Product Review: August Beauty Box 5 feat. Pur~lisse, La Fresh, and more!

Beauty subscription boxes have been around for quite a while now, but if you still haven't tried them yourself, I don't blame you. It's cool to have a box of curated beauty products sent to your doorstep on a monthly basis, but it's also a daunting financial commitment to have to pay for them every month. What if you don't like any one of the products one month? What if you try to cancel and the company tricks you into purchasing more boxes? What if one of the boxes are full of spiders instead of makeup????

Yes, these are the kinds of thoughts that give me panic attacks.

Luckily, there are a few select boxes that I've subscribed to myself and have lucked out with completely; Beauty Box 5 is one of them. Every box, and almost every item I receive, I end up loving! I've definitely purchased full-sized versions of products from their storefront after sampling them, which is a great option to have.

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling service that delivers five deluxe samples and full-sized products right to your door every month. In their own words:

It's a cosmetic jungle out there and  we want to lend a helping hand by introducing you to new brands and great products, while sharing tips on the best ways to use them.

Every month we'll send you a mix of makeup, beauty accessories, hair, skincare, fragrance, body, and nail products that we can't get enough of. Our secret? We share products that really work, so you'll receive luxury, drugstore, niche, eco-conscious, and even vegan brands.

Whether you're a cosmetic newbie or a beauty guru, identify yourself as adventurous and playful or classy and mature, like to splurge on high-end items or be a savvy spender, we have everything you're looking for.

It costs $12 per month, but if you want to commit to an annual subscription, is only $8.25 per box, making it one of the most affordable beauty boxes out there. It currently only ships to US and Canada.

August's BB5 had a collection of hair, skin, and makeup products that I was super pleased with:

As you can see, Beauty Box 5 comes in a cute little turquoise box and contains multi-use samples—they're actually useable, unlike those tiny, useless packets you get from department stores. For products like lip gloss and nail polish, you actually get the full-size, which is awesome because they can just become a part of your cosmetics collection.

BB5 also provides an informational card with all the product specs and retail prices, which is convenient to have as reference in case you are interested in purchasing the full-size products from the Beauty Box 5 store.

Reviews

Here's a rundown of the products I received in my box this month:

Pur~lisse Pur~Protect Essential Daily Moisturizer protects and hydrates your skin with its non-greasy formula and excellent SPF coverage. It's an everyday moisturizer that is gentle enough for all skin types, and is contains anti-aging properties as well. I love this product because it doubles as a sunscreen and it applies so smoothly and makes my face really soft. At $55 for the 1.7 oz. tube, it doesn't come cheap, but it's the kind of skin care product I wouldn't mind spending my money on.

I also received a packet of La Fresh Travel-Lite Facial Cleansing Wipes, a portable, easy, and nourishing cleanser that is formulated with Vitamin E and is safe for all skin types. Oil-free and packaged in a cute travel-friendly envelope, these facial wipes also contain aloe vera, cucumber, chamomile, marshmallow, and tea plant botanical extracts. I absolutely love these wipes and will be purchasing them on my own!!! They are non-irritating and work just as well as my regular face wash. I found them extremely refreshing and the wipe actually exfoliates and picks up any leftover makeup residue as well, so it's a win-win.

Sometimes, whether you're far from home or simply staying late out at night, washing your face just isn't an option—but it's so necessary to maintain balanced, blemish-free skin. These cleansing wipes save the day because they require no water or rinsing; just swipe them across your face and they pick up makeup, as well as condition your skin. I adore the miniature packaging because you can literally tuck them anywhere—in your purse, schoolbag, work desk, car, etc.—so this really is an on-the-go beauty essential. Best of all, each 8-count package is only $2.49, so whether you buy one, three, or sixteen (like yours truly), you can go crazy without breaking the bank.

Novex Brazilian Keratin Deep Hair Care Treatment harnesses the power of keratin and nourishes your hair back to health. This dense treatment deep-conditions with proteins and vitamins to restore shine and smoothness. I was surprised to find this in my beauty box because it came in a standard sample package rather than a little bottle or tube like the other samples, and it has unexpected Portuguese words all over it (authentically Brazilian, I suppose? LOL!). It was one of the best products from this box and gave instant, noticeable results.

Normally you hear about keratin treatments at salons, but this is a convenient at-home alternative. It's basically an intensive deep conditioner that renews and reinforces your strands, and it's perfect for all hair types. For me, it noticeably added shine and smoothness to my hair from root to tip—a new favorite of mine! A huge 1-kg tub of this miracle cream is only $18.99; it seems pricey, but imagine how many uses you could get out of that! I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I received one bottle of sea green nail polish from Style Essentials Touch of Teal Collection and while I was excited to try it—look at that color! Does it not match Books à la Mode perfectly??—I was a bit disappointed.

This nail polish is originally a part of a collection that features complementary shades, so maybe I would have gotten more out of it if I'd tried the glitter topcoats. The color and finish were gorgeous, but formula was a bit thin and streaky. At only $7.99 for the entire four-piece set, they're a total steal, but don't expect too high of quality. You get what you pay for!

Let me start off by saying I was less than thrilled to receive a lip gloss in my box because a) I'm not a huge lip gloss fan and b) even if I did wear lip gloss, pink and shimmer would not be my color and finish combination of choice.

HOWEVER.

I was so, so impressed by Nanacoco's Popular Lip Gloss because of its hydrating, non-sticky formula and vibrant, long-wearing color. Yes, its a bright, cheery pink—not my usual shade—and yes, it contains little specks of shimmer—something I haven't touched since 7th grade—but hear me out; if I regularly wore lip gloss, this would be my go-to.

The packaging is sleek and the slim wand allows for easy, precise application. There is a slight "artificial" scent to it, but it isn't at all unpleasant. Most lip glosses dry my lips out or turn really sticky and gross after a few minutes, but this stay put and felt like a lip gloss and balm combined—perfect for me!

The best part, by far, is the pricing; it looks and feels like a luxury lip gloss but a 0.22 oz. tube is only $3.99. High-quality lipgloss for drugstore prices? I'm sold. I would have loved to try this in the shade First Kiss even though I received Popular. Check out the other Nanacoco colors in Beauty Box 5's August box product inventory and tell me your favorite!

What do you think?

As you can see, this month's BB5 was a huge hit; I loved virtually every sample I received, and discovered some new favorites as well (like the La Fresh wipes and Novex keratin cream!) that I will be purchasing in full-size.

Tell me:

• What product(s) from this post would you most like to try?
• What's your favorite beauty product you discovered in August?
• Have you ever tried Beauty Box 5 before? What are some of your favorite products you've received?
• Are there any other subscription boxes you've tried? How did you like them?