Home > August Beauty Favourites (That I Buy Over And Over Again)

August Beauty Favourites (That I Buy Over And Over Again)

I have to say, I’m pretty excited about my August Beauty Favourites.

As a beauty blogger, I’m fortunate to receive boatloads of cosmetics and skincare to test out. I have no need to buy anything beauty-oriented for oh…I dunno…the next 600 years? Every now and then though, I buy my faves that  will forever be in my beauty arsenal.

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

There is something to be said to walk into a store and buy the exact thing you want. To get that instant gratification of actually finding a tube of the mythical Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy is exhilarating! And that is exactly what I did when Ryan and I travelled to Montreal recently – indulged in a little (lot) of beauty retail therapy.

This list is a mix of my favourite products and a few that I discovered that totally blew me away. I’m excited to share these with you all because I truly think they are universal winners.

XX Balm

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

XX Balm is that lip balm that you’ll be reaching for over and over again, especially now that the temperature is cooling off. I got two of them: mer-rah-kee and myke. Mer-rah-kee, which means “to put some of your soul into everything you do”, is lightly scented of lemongrass and bergamot. I’m seriously obsessed. Myke, a jasmine and grapefruit scented balm is heavenly too.

Both are made of beeswax, therefore are a little waxy and stay put for hours. While waxy, the shea butter and jojoba oils melt nicely with the warmth of your skin to provide a nice, soft, comfortable feeling. Both are highly moisturizing and never leave your lips feeling gunky and gross like some other all-natural balms.

Made in Canada, XX only uses the highest quality ingredients. Their products are tested on humans only, and the XX website is a breath of fresh air! Every page is replete with uplifting notes reminding you to live your best life with strong intentions. XX is a big supporter of local charities too. 10% of all sales benefit charities such as Operation Smile, Calgary Youth Science Fair, Brown Bagging For Calgary Kids and CandleAid Lanka.

Tata Harper Revitalizing Beauty Oil

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

While in Montreal, I popped into Etiket, an upscale beauty boutique and spa. I was delighted to see a huge selection of Tata Harper products! This stuff is hard to find!

I wanted to try out the Revitalizing Beauty Oil forever now and was thrilled to see that Etiket stocked it.

I tried a little on my hand and I was immediately sold. This oil is thick, rich and smells heavenly. Think green tea and rose.

This glorious oil made my skin gleam. My next trip to Montreal will be solely to acquire another bottle of this liquid gold.

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain – Rose Glacée

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!
A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

I have owned this colour before and lost it, which broke my heart, mainly because it’s damn expensive at $55.00 a tube. The colour is so soft, milky and perfectly pinky sheer though, that I ran out and bought another.

The case itself is stunning. It features a little pop-up mirror that’s awesome for obvious reasons. The formula smells of rosewater too – very Guerlain.

You can find shades that are similar for less money, but this colour looks so great both with a smokey eye and for an easy day look that I reach for it frequently.

As the formula contains ruby powder (omg!!!), it’s a bit gritty which some may not love, but the powder reflects light so beautifully, I’m ok with it.

Guerlain KissKiss Roselip in Chic Pink

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

I was on the hunt for a sheer, pinky-brown balm and found it in Guerlain’s KissKiss Roselip in Chic Pink. It’s one of those perfect tinted balms that you can apply without a mirror.

Chic Pink is good for lips too as it contains all sorts of good stuff like hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil to plump and soften your kisser.

The case is super gorgeous too. I rock this colour when I opt for that no-makeup makeup look. Cat eyeliner, mascara, a little blush, some Chic Pink? Easy peasy day look.

Ok – so I went a little bananas at the Guerlain counter. I had full intentions of buying the Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum but they are perpetually sold out. The counter manager suggested the Terracotta Huile Sous Le Vent body oil which smells the same.

I’m a body oil fanatic so I said “Sure. Why not?” Three cheers for impulse buys! This body oil is a dry oil, so it won’t ruin your clothes. It smells heavenly too of Tiare flowers (similar scent to gardenia), ylang ylang and vanilla. Picture a relaxing beach where your only care in the world is one piña colada or two.

While it’s a dry oil, it leaves skin nice and glowy which is straight up my alley. This will be coming with me on my upcoming trip to Spain.

Diptyque Violette Candle

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

I have had my eye on this candle for years! Thrilled to finally own it! Violet is possibly my favourite scent and Diptyque delivers.

In true Diptyque form, the fragrance is quite strong and the candle has great throw. This isn’t for the faint-hearted. I haven’t even lit the candle yet and the entire top floor of our home smells of violets. PERFECT.

If you are looking for a candle that is extremely long-lasting and perfumes your entire home with this light, fresh scent highlighted by cedar and iris, Violette is for you.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize – Cleopatra

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes To Mesmerize cream eyeshadows are stellar! I own several in the taupe and bronze shades. I love them because they are easy to put on, and a little goes a long way. You’ll have the little pot of shadow forever. They also pack a serious punch as they are all highly pigmented.

I wanted something fun and eye-catching though, so when Charlotte Tilbury had their awesome online sale a few weeks ago, I snapped up Cleopatra.

Cleopatra is a stunning, bright, peacock blue colour. On my skin colour, it really pops and looks quite green. Really fun for a night out! Ladies with green or blue eyes, you’ll want to run out and buy this like, yesterday.

SkinMedica Gel Cleanser

A list of my favourite beauty products that I buy over and over again!

Last but not least is my all-time favourite facial cleanser, SkinMedica Gel Cleanser.

My sister-in-law who works for a dermatologist and plastic surgeon got me hopeless hooked on it. It’s one of the first cleansers I’ve tried that actually removes all of your makeup effectively. Despite being a gel cleanser, it doesn’t leave your face feeling so dry that it’s going to crack either.

Since I started using this over a year ago, my skin has definitely gotten better. Funnily enough, when I ran out of it in July and didn’t replace it, I broke out. NEVER AGAIN. Bonus tip: SkinMedica’s GlyCo Pro Exfoliating Cleanser is the best exfoliant I’ve ever used – hands down. I’ve heard horrible, awful rumours that it is being discontinued in Canada. *lonely tear rolls down cheek*

Hope you enjoyed my August Beauty favourites. Let me know if you decide to try any!

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Dominique Baker
Dominique Baker

Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.

Find me on: Web | Instagram

26 Comments

  1. September 1, 2017 / 10:35 am

    I’m a sucker for candles and lip balm. I’ve never heard of the brands that you mentioned but I’m down to give them a try, Thanks for putting them on my radar.

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 1, 2017 / 10:49 am

      You’re welcome, Ty! I gotta take you shopping, girl!

  2. September 1, 2017 / 11:09 am

    Love your photography. Guerlain is one of my favourite brands, they have a perfume I love.

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 1, 2017 / 12:19 pm

      Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much! I love the photography end of the blog! Let me know which Guerlain perfume you have. Inquiring minds want to know!

  3. Adaleta
    September 1, 2017 / 2:09 pm

    You have awesome products! lots I have never heard of before! I love it

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 1, 2017 / 2:44 pm

      Oh wow! Ada – you’re the beauty product queen! It surprises me to read that you don’t know these ones!

  4. September 1, 2017 / 4:49 pm

    Such cute packaging! Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll have to look into these products.

  5. September 2, 2017 / 4:42 am

    Great post and cosmetics!
    Can you follow me? I follow you 🙂

    Have a nice day!
    murasakiiroanu.blogspot.com

  6. September 2, 2017 / 10:02 am

    Your stagging for for photos is really nice! Those roses in full bloom were gorgeous.

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 4, 2017 / 12:22 pm

      Thank you so much, LeShelle! I really have fun with the photography!

  7. September 2, 2017 / 7:04 pm

    I love candels. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

  8. September 3, 2017 / 6:37 pm

    This is so cool! I am definitely interested in trying the lip balm!!!

  9. September 3, 2017 / 8:18 pm

    Hahahahaha I like beauty products but I don’t buy a ton of them. I also suck and trying new things. I think I have too many other shopping addictions. My bank account can’t handle another.

  10. September 4, 2017 / 12:23 am

    I am a sucker for great bath and beauty products. That Guerlain tube is stunning and the color is pretty (I’m not sure if I could rock it). My favorit Canadian beauty & bath store is ‘Fruits & Passions!’

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 4, 2017 / 10:40 am

      OMG! Fruits & Passions! YES! So good! And trust me, you can rock both those Guerlain colours. They are lovely on all skin tones thanks to their sheerness! xoxox

  11. September 4, 2017 / 7:11 am

    I suck at trying new beauty products! I tend to stick with my same ones once I find something that works! But I like that lip balm!

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 4, 2017 / 10:39 am

      LaShawn, babe! I’m the same way!! Every now and then, I force myself to try something different and usually am pleasantly surprised. But like bad food, nothing makes me angrier than spending my money on bad cosmetics.

  12. Kita
    September 4, 2017 / 9:19 am

    The candle has been on my list forever. I think I will take the plunge. I would try the dry oil too because yes to the glow without the grease.

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 4, 2017 / 10:38 am

      Oh good, Kita! Enjoy the candle. It’s heavenly!

  13. September 4, 2017 / 10:10 am

    I have never heard of any of these products. Thank you for sharing.

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 4, 2017 / 10:37 am

      Wow. We have to get you to a Sephora. LOL!

  14. September 4, 2017 / 11:58 am

    I’ve never heard of XX balm, but it’s actually the thing on this list that I most want to try. My lips get really dry so I’m always looking for something that’ll stop that from happening. And the Guerlain lipstick packaging is a-mazing!

  15. September 4, 2017 / 2:29 pm

    I feel so out the loop with knowing about beauty products sometimes. Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll check it out. They’re at Sephora right?

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 5, 2017 / 1:18 pm

      Hey Joanna. They sure are! Don’t feel out of the loop. New products are constantly being released. So hard to keep up!

  16. September 5, 2017 / 9:59 am

    I LOVE these products. I love XX balm — one of my absolutely favorites. Great picks, girlfriend!

    • Dominique
      Author
      September 5, 2017 / 1:17 pm

      Oh – that’s awesome that you’ve tried the brand! Love their philosophy and the products are so high quality!

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