Sona Selects August Edition

August may be over, but the heat in Los Angeles doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It was actually over 100 degrees this last week! Can you believe it? All of us in the office have been practically melting, fall can’t come soon enough! Since it’s been so hot, I’ve been using lighter beauty products and I haven’t been able to stop raving about them! I’m definitely going to be using all seven of these products throughout the fall. A few of them also happen to be products created by fellow bloggers, which I’m so excited about! If you’re a new reader on the blog, Sona Selects is a collection of the best beauty products I’ve used in the past month. Whether the products are old or new, they are the ones I can’t stop using! I also have a series on my YouTube channel to go along with this series, so be sure to watch the video on my channel!

1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Micellar Cleansing Water ($22)

You guys know how much I love the Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes to take off my makeup, but since I discovered this cleansing water from Philosophy it’s been the only thing I use to remove my makeup! After using this product my face feels so hydrated and clean, it really breaks down makeup and leaves your face feeling so refreshed! I apply it onto a cotton round and swipe it over my face (and eyes), just like a makeup wipe, to remove everything on my skin before using a cleanser. If you’re unhappy with makeup wipes, or want a more gentle option, I would definitely give this product a try!

2. iS Clinical Active Serum ($130)

Recently I’ve been experimenting with face serums. Serums are packed with tons of moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, that are amazing for the skin! They are especially great if you have dry skin like I do! The iS Clinical Active Serum has been my number one favorite lately. Even with the high price tag, it’s something I’ll keep repurchasing because of how great it makes my skin look! This serum protects against breakouts, which makes it great for acne prone skin. It also helps smooth fine lines, and reduces large pores and uneven skin tones. I use it every night (only at night) and I’ve seen such a difference since adding it into my routine. I can’t stop using and RAVING about this serum! This is an absolute must have for anyone with acne prone skin.

3. Smashbox Face Brushes ($30-40)

I was seriously SO excited when I got these brushes in the mail! The new Smashbox brushes are some of the softest brushes I’ve ever felt. (They’re also cruelty free!) The quality is to-die-for, and the grooved handles make them very comfortable to hold. Two specific ones I’m obsessed with are the Blurring Foundation and Angled Powder brushes. They make applying face makeup an absolute dream, I couldn’t wait to feature them in this month’s Sona Selects! The right brush can really make or break the look of your face makeup, so investing in good quality brushes like these is very important to achieve the best application possible!

4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Color ($58)

If you’ve seen any of my recent Insta-lives or makeup tutorials on my channel, you should know how much I love this bronzer! The first time I tried it was in my “I Tried Chanel Makeup Worth $300” video, and since then I’ve been using it almost every time I do my makeup. I have it in the shade ‘Deep’ and it’s so great for warming up your complexion. This bronzer is also infused with illuminating pigments which create the most beautiful glow on the skin. It has a buildable formula that’s so blendable and easy to work with! I can’t say enough good things about this bronzer! Out of all the products featured in this month’s Sona Selects, this is definitely the one that’s become a holy grail item in my collection.

5. Maybelline The City Mini Palette x Shayla ($9.99)

Recently, a few of my friends had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing makeup brands! It makes me so happy to see fellow makeup artists getting recognition and working with so many cool companies! This Maybelline The City Mini Palette was a collaboration with Shayla (MakeupShayla) and it’s seriously so gorgeous! The palette comes with 6 colors that are perfect for fall. Shayla actually hand picked each shade in the palette at the Maybelline innovation labs in New York! How cool is that? The pigmentation is gorgeous and the texture is so smooth and buttery! I can’t say enough good things about this palette.

6. iluvsarahhii x ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Arriba! ($6)

This liquid lipstick in Arriba is the prettiest shade of red and it makes your teeth look so white! Karen (iluvsarahii) actually collaborated with ColourPop to create this gorgeous shade. I’m seriously so obsessed with it! This product also has amazing color payoff, it’s mind-blowing how pigmented it is for just six dollars! It’s completely kiss proof and will last all day with minimal touchups (which I love). It’s definitely a product I’ve been reaching for recently when I’m in the mood for a bold lip.

7. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil ($88)

Rarely is there a hair product like this that blows every other product out of the water for me. I just had to include the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil in this month’s Sona Selects! It was created by the amazing Negin Mirsalehi. This hair oil contains honey, almond oil, coconut oil, and is free of sulfates and parabens. I have very thick and coarse hair, and this product really moisturizes and leaves it so smooth. I don’t know how I ever lived without it! It is an expensive hair product, which is why I also wanted to include an affordable option with similar ingredients below. The Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Marvelous Oil Hair Elixir is another great hair oil for intense hydration and adding tons of shine!

I hope you enjoyed my August Sona Selects! I started using so many great products this month that I’m absolutely loving, and excited to keep using! What’s one product you haven’t been able to live without?

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