August is finally here, so that means it is time for my July Monthly Favorites. I have a small mix of makeup, skincare, perfume, and lifestyle favorites to share with you guys. Starting with the Lorac Pro Palette!

The Lorac Pro Palette is my all time favorite eye shadow palette. The color selection is excellent for someone who loves neutral shadows with a little variety. What is so great about this palette is that all of the shadows have a high pigment and buttery consistency that is easy to apply and blend, far more so than the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I also love how versatile the colors are, since you can create both matte and shimmery looks that range from natural to dramatic. I highly recommend this palette to anyone who is looking for something that is perfect for any occasion.

The Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara is my first high end mascara. I’ve always used drugstore mascaras and have believed the notion that there is no difference between a $5 mascara and one that is $30 for many years. However after just one use of this product, I will never go back to my Maybelline mascaras ever again. What is so wonderful about this mascara in particular is that it never clumps (even if you don’t clean the brush), and you can create a very natural “I woke up like this” to the very darkest and dramatic lashes. This mascara is truly perfect for any look, and the fact that it is waterproof makes it all the more better of me.

I bought a Sephora set at the beginning of the summer filled with sunscreen infused products, and the Supergoop! Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil SPF 50 is my favorite of the bunch. The fact that it is an oil really sold me to this product since it moisturizes the skin when applied and leaves a beautiful glowing finish. A little bit of this goes a long way. I’ve used this almost everyday for the past few weeks and I’ve barely made a dent (keep in mind this product is only 1 oz). I also tend to have problems with breaking out whenever I use sunscreen and I haven’t had any troubles with this yet. Whenever I do run out of this I fully plan on buying the full sized bottle immediately.

I’ve already done a full review of the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask (click here), so I won’t go on too long about this product. But this is the best mask I’ve used so far to help control my acne. Whenever I see a spot coming I immediately put on this bad boy, and by the next morning the inflammation is down significantly. If you struggle with acne you should definitely give this product a whirl.

I have a very large perfume collection, but not of full sized fragrances. I shop enough on beauty websites that I’m sent luxury sample sizes all the time. So when I use a scent non-stop I know I’ve found a winner. That is how I feel about the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black perfume. I’m really bad at describing perfume scents so here’s a cheat from the line’s description, “sensual violet, sandalwood, and vanilla strike the perfect balance of masculine and feminine”. I have to agree that this perfume has a very unisex scent to it, it is also evening appropriate and gives the wearer a powerful and strong feel. I really love this perfume, and wouldn’t be surprised if I end up purchasing the full bottle.

My shower products tend to have the same theme, they are all from Lush. Lush is one of those places that makes me super happy, I’m never stressed out when I’m there. Maybe it’s the smell, the fact that all of the products are natural and cruelty free, or because it brings out my inner hippy; but there’s just something about Lush that never fails to make me smile. I recently made the trip to Lush and bought a few things including the Lush American Cream Conditioner. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t be moisturizing enough for my thick and curly hair, but my is this stuff amazing. My hair looks so healthy and shiny these days, and I attribute it all to this conditioner. The smell is great, the feel is wonderful, and my hair is just so happy. I love this product and will probably continue to use it for a long time.

Along with the conditioner I also bought the Lush Flying Fox Shower Gel. Just like with all Lush products, I freaking love this shower gel! It smells like jasmine tea, which transports me immediately to dim sum restaurants in Chicago’s China Town (happy memories every time I take a shower, now that’s good stuff). I will never not use this shower gel… until Christmas when they release the rose scented gel.

I also recently picked up the Birkenstock Black Birko-Flor Sandal at a shoe sale that I never fail to go to every year. I have many references to how awesome Birkenstocks are, but of course the moment I heard Italy and New York were obsessing over these I had to pick up a pair. I have worn these almost everyday since and I can now contribute to the noise of how awesome these sandals are. They are unbelievably comfortable, stylish, and go with everything. I am determined to wear these until the day I die.

I have also been loving this Kate Spade Wallet. I spent entirely too much money on this, but luckily I got it for $100 off. I love almost everything about this wallet, the color, the functionality, the number of interior pockets, and the fact that it fits my iPHONE. The only thing that drives me a little crazy is how it barely fits in my purse (which is quite small). I’ve had to eliminate a lot of things that I used to carry with me everywhere, but I try to see it as I have to edit to only the things I really need (maybe it will teach me a life lesson). All in all though, this is one of my best purchases.

The last of my monthly favorites is the movie The Fault in our Stars. Even though this movie came out in June I sadly didn’t get to see it until mid July. This movie was so good, just like the book it had moments that made you burst out laughing and ones where you cried your eyes out. I love it when books and movies are not just about the romance, but about the good and bad times that make life real. One thing I have learned from reading this book and then seeing it in theaters is that John Green is a writing genius. Since this isn’t a review I won’t go into to details of the story, just the information that this is one of those movies worth seeing and then immediately buying.