Last week, a friend of mine suggested that we participate in @bellereneebeauty’s #JuneBeautyChallenge on Instagram.  I was instantly on board knowing that: (a) I love sharing my favorite products with the world, (b) I am obsessed with discovering new products and (c) it gave my friend and I something fun to do together, especially in the summer months when we won’t see each other as frequently.  The challenge is simple: each day you post a picture to Instagram with the hashtag #JuneBeautyChallenge that corresponds with that day’s theme (the complete challenge is shown below).  The rest is up to you.  Here are all of my favorite products (with links to purchase*) from the first week!

Day 1: Most Flattering Lipstick

As a self proclaimed lipstick junkie this decision was nearly impossible for me!  I finally landed on Mac Viva Glam Miley with the matching lipglass.  I have been obsessed with this lippie duo since the day it was released, and it is one of the few lipsticks that I will wear more than once in the same week.  Not only is it  flattering for my skin tone but is also bold without being too bright.  I can wear it anytime of the year and with almost any ensemble.  It has slowly become my signature color!

Day 2: Favorite Matte Product

I don’t have particularly oily skin but during a Texas summer, even the driest skin gets shiny.  For this challenge I chose two products that work together to keep my skin remarkably shine free.  The first product is Urban Decay’s De Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray.  I spray this on after applying my makeup and it keeps my shine down and my makeup in place all day.  This product alone keeps me happy most of the year, but now that the temperature is (finally) climbing, I needed a backup product; enter Mally Beauty’s Face Defender w/ Sponge. 

This product is a sheer, weightless, waxy consistency.  Using a sponge you apply the product directly to your shiny spots and your face returns to a matte-like state.  This is the perfect product to keep in your purse and use throughout the day.  It is an amazing product but I must be honest, there are a few design flaws with the compact.  First of all, it is really heavy and I can’t figure out why since the product certainly isn’t heavy.  My other concern is the sponge.  For some reason the sponge doesn’t fit in the compact (I don’t know who thought this was a good idea).  Because I don’t want a dirty sponge floating around in my purse, I usually pack up the whole box it came in, making it even heavier to haul around.  All in all, this does not change the holy-grail status of this product for me, so I make do and hope that they will redesign the product in the future!

Day 3: Favorite Body Lotion

I am not a huge lotion girl (I know I should be), so this was a little harder for me.  I ultimately chose St.Ive’s Naturally Soothing Oatmeal and Shea Butter and Ocean Potion Ever Glow.  Because I am not a connoisseur of body lotions I don’t know if either of these are any more or less moisturizing than other products but my skin seems to like them so I continue to replace them.  I do enjoy the slow “tan” that the Ocean Potion gives my fair skin.  I never turn orange and it provides a subtle change of color over time, so it isn’t too shocking!

Day 4: Purple

This was an easy decision for me.  5 days before (and way before I knew about this challenge) I dyed the tips of my hair a shade of purple.  This is something I had contemplated doing for almost a year but, due to professional obligations, wasn’t brave enough to try .  With summer here I felt like now was the ideal time and it worked out perfectly for the challenge!

Day 5: Two of a Kind

I went back and forth on how to complete this challenge.  As a product junkie, I couldn’t decide if I should show dupes, multiple items from the same line (i.e. my collection of Too Faced Melted Lipsticks), or items I have backups of.  Finally I decided to show products I have in multiple sizes.  I love to travel but never want to take 5,000 full sized products with me, so anytime I see a product I use in a sample or travel size, I snatch them up and throw them in my cosmetic bag!  Here is a collection of (some of) my favorite items in full and travel sizes. 

Philosophy Purity cleanser, Microdelivery Exfoliating face wash and Hope in a Jar moisturizer

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave in Conditioner

Kenra Blow Dry Spray

Urban Decay B6 prep spray, All Nighter setting spray and eyeshadow Primer Potion

Tarte Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye and Your Skin But Better CC Cream

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Benefit Porefessional face primer

Day 6: Best Bang for Your Buck

I have had a longstanding love affair with witch hazel, making it an easy choice for this challenge.  Long before I had any sort of skin care regimen, I consistently used witch hazel.  I never knew what the purpose of it was, but my mom talked to me about it quite a bit as a teen, and it was the only thing product that ever stuck with me.  I have always used the store brand of wherever I bought it from but recently took the advice of a friend and tried Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel, I paid $9.80 on Amazon . As a fan of both witch hazel and rose petal water, it seemed like a no brainer.  Of course I tried it and fell in love.  I apply this product every night as a toner (I use it at different times, depending on the other treatments I use that night, but typically right after I wash my face) and each morning in lieu of washing my face.  I always apply this product with cotton pads and Ulta’s Exfoliating Rounds are by far my favorite.  Making these cotton rounds even better is the fact that they are often on sale!  They are $3.49, but the last time I purchased them they were buy 3, get 3 free. 

Day 7: Favorite Mask

I am a huge fan of facial masks.  They are my favorite part of skin care and I use about three a week.  Without a doubt my favorite mask is the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mask.  This stuff is amazing.  It comes as a powder which is then combined with Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar.  You can feel the mask working instantly.  Not only does your face begin to tighten, it also pulsates as the mask penetrates deeply into your pores.  After 10-20 minutes the mask is removed and your skin may be red from the treatment.  When this happens I often spritz my face with Heritage Store Rose Petals Rosewater and the redness subsides within 15 minutes.  The internet is full of different recipes for this mask, which focus on specific skin needs, but I haven’t tried any of them yet.

Being the dedicated Amazon shopper that I am, I found a small bowl to make my mask with!  For less than $3 it came with a bowl, spreading/mixing stick, three sizes of measuring spoons and an application brush.  This makes the preparation of the mask even easier!

That completes the first week of the #JuneBeautyChallenge.  I can’t wait to continue this week sharing: mani Monday, repurchased products, favorite colored liners, red, all slammed up, what’s in my shower and best sun care! 

You can keep up with my challenge by following my Instagram: @JessicasGoneViral

*I have linked to the website of each product whenever possible.  In cases where the product is not sold directly from the brand’s website, I linked to Amazon.