Happy Wellness Wednesday Muses! I hope you all are doing well! I decided I’d get back to sharing my favorite items and such for each month like I used to! I used to love making these type of videos and eventually, I’ll get back to doing that, but I got a two for one special today with rounding out my favorite products from July & August.
July, to me, really did come and go. Let me tell y’all, it’s been so HOT.🔥 I’ve primarily been in the house and schooling. I’ve been working on some design projects as well. If you guys want to see when I do, you can follow my “portfolio page” on Instagram. I haven’t updated much over there but my goal is to start doing that. As for August, I was anticipating August for one reason and one reason only, football season. And now that it’s here, my Saturdays and Sundays are fully booked you feel me? But, I’m still prioritizing skincare along the way.
So, let’s talk Beauty products first:
- Hanskin AHA Pore Cleansing Oil – $27.00 at Ulta
This is my go-to oil these days for oil cleansing. It has a citrusy kind of like smell but it’s not overpowering. It has a little bit of a lather when you cleanse but not enough to dry your skin out. I also love how Hanskin has different formulations depending on your skin type. It’s bit on the pricey side for an oil cleanser (although, I’ve seen some way more expensive,) but it’s worth every penny and a little goes a long way, so you won’t be growing through it quick at all.
- COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner – $22.00 at Ulta
This is my morning toner that gives me an extra boost of hydration in the morning. It’s perfect for if you have dry or dehydrated skin. The honey extract in the toner also helps with protecting the natural skin barrier.
- The Ordinary Brow & Lash Serum – $14.90 at Ulta or Sephora
Ever since I had my baby, I’ve been working on trying to get myself back to how I was or more so, adjusted to my new self. One thing I’ve been working on is trying to regrow my lashes. They broke off so bad and went to babygirl, but, this serum has been helping me little bit by little bit get my full lashes back.
- Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum – $12.00 at Ulta
In preparing myself to get back deep into my skincare routine, I’m trying to get my hyperpigmentation under control. So far, I can see a difference in how dark my hyperpigmentation is. Consistent use will be the game changer in how well it works.
- Dove Serum Body Washes: Melanin Even Tone & Hydration Boost – $9.99 at Target or Walmart
I laid off of Dove for a while because the original Dove body wash I was using was drying my skin out. Being an eczema girlie, my skin getting too dry is not a good idea. However, these new Dove body washes are PRESSURE. With different formulations and serums included to help target different skincare needs. I picked up the Melanin Even Tone to help with my “strawberry legs” and bodily hyperpigmentation since it’s exfoliating with 5% Pro-Ceramide Serum with BHA. I also then got the Hydration Boost one as well which is formulated with 6% Hydrating Serum and Hyaluronic Acid. The Hydration Boost one is the one I more so use on the daily, whereas I use the Melanin Glow one or twice a week. My skin feels so smooth and hydrated after using it.
So, Shea Moisture’s deodorant line is one of my best releases in my opinion as far as deodorant ranges go. Shea Moisture partnered with black dermatologists to work on this line and there’s a range of problems they are addressing with these deodorants. I’ve been using the Moisturizing one for my underarms and the whole body deo cream for my underboobs. I started out using the whole body deo stick but it’s not the formula I wanted to use under my boobs, I then switched to the whole body deo cream and it works wonders for my skin. However, I can also say, they both work all day and I can smell it on me later in the day and at night before I shower.
- Body by TPH Body Mist – $8.97 at Walmart
This has been one of my go-to body mists as of late. I love the way it smells and how long it lasts on my skin well after spraying it on. I usually pair it with the Body by TPH body oil and/or body butter.
- Cay Skin Isle Invisible Sunstick SPF 35 – $20.00 at Sephora
Cay Skin actually sent me this sunscreen back in July to test out before the launch. I love how smooth it goes on and that it’s clear. The little stick is also super portable and for someone with sensitive skin, it doesn’t bother it. I usually keep it in my purse or my baby’s diaper bag to reapply sunscreen to my face if I’m not wearing makeup and to my wrist tattoo.
- Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 15ml – $12.89 at Target
I’ve been talking over on Instagram about how I’ve been trying to get back to being consistent in my skincare game. This balm has been helpful in lightening up the hyperpigmentation I have in my face from pimples.
- Salon Perfect “Liquid Gold” Gold Flake, Almond Press-On Nails – $8.90 at Walmart
I am getting back into doing my nails regularly or getting them done, I did these for our date night the other week. If you know me, y’all I know been rocking with Salon Perfect for a while now and these were so cute and so effortless to do. I had a cute mani in about 15 minutes. These are part of the “Liquid Gold” collection and these are the medium, almond style.
Surprisingly, I don’t have any makeup items to add to this list this time because I’m really just getting back into wearing full faces or partial faces these days. Maybe next month👀
Moving on, let’s talk about the Lifestyle category. Lifestyle to me is just about anything for home, body, and self. For example, my vitamins are here, along with random things like journals, pens, candles, etc.
Let’s get started:
- HUM Nutrition Vitamins: Flatter Me, Celery Juice Fiber Gummies, Best of Berberine, and Private Party – Pricing Varies (FM and PP are $26.00 each, Fiber is $20, and BoB is $36.00
I recently became an ambassador for HUM Nutrition on top of the brand already being on my radar and being very outspoken about my health and wellness journey. The Flatter Me vitamins help with debloating, the Celery Juice gummies help with making sure you get your daily recommended amount of fiber and natural detoxing, the Berberine has been talked about as a natural supplemental alternative to metformin that is taken for helping lower A1C in diabetic patients, and Private Party is to support vaginal and urinary health. All of these have been pivotal in helping me in my journey. I’m not necessarily looking for a number right now (I don’t even have a scale in my house,) I really want to feel better and look better in my clothes. The debloating vitamins have been very helpful, especially during my period, and I can see a bit of a difference after I eat as well that I don’t feel “plumped” up, especially after eating red meat or starches. For the berberine, I can feel a difference in my appetite. It’s not gone, but it’s like I eat and I’m satisfied. I’m not overeating because it’s here or because it’s my favorite food. I eat a good amount and I’m good. I snack a bit but I don’t snack as often. The fiber gummies speak for themselves, if you get what I mean. All I say is, I’m regular. As for Private Party, since having a child I want to make sure that everything is “good” down there because of how I ended up with stitches and tears after delivery. I’ve been wanting to make sure everything is intact and healthy in that regard. In addition to this, you can find some of these in select Target stores and shop them using my link here. You can also just use my code “DENI.”x
- Winnie Weston x DesignWorks Ink “Melanin Queens” Notebook – $12.99 at Target
I’m a sucker for a good journal/notebook. Have a finished my previous journal? No. But, this one was too gorgeous to pass up in my Target. Shoutout to the beautiful Winnie Weston for designing the cover of this journal. My other journal is also DesignWorks and it’s quality is awesome, thick binding, beautiful pages, I love the date thing at the top and the paper is thick.
- Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pins, Medium Point, 0.7mm in Assorted Colors – $20.97 in Walmart
One of my favorite pens to write with are these babies right here. They glide across all types of paper, they don’t smear, and the colors are very vibrant. You can tell the difference between the different shades of the same color. I love using them for school, personal journalling, and prayer journalling.
- Serborni 40 oz Tumbler with Handle and 2 Straws Lid in Mocha – $11.99 on Amazon
This was my designated water cup when I was pregnant and then proceeded to leave at home when I went to be induced. However, I still use it daily to get my water in and I love it. If you’re looking for a Stanley dupe, this one is a good option. I also have a whole list that I made as well that you can check out here.
- My Stairstepper – $49.99 on TikTok Shop
So TikTok Shop got your girl some months ago, but I didn’t actually start using my stairstepper until recently. It’s already giving my legs hell but in a good way. It comes with detachable arm bands to use as well and you can adjust the incline as you wish. I would have to say so far it’s worth the purchase.
Next, we move into Fashion. I’m trying to get back in my bag and these two months I’ve been primarily living in comfort but also things that *spark joy* so let’s get into that.
- Nike Air Monarch IV – $80.00 on Nike
These are one of my favorite pair of sneakers in my collection. I find them extremely versatile and effortless to style. I got these in a size 9 in Men’s and they fit perfectly. I was first attracted to them when I saw some discourse online about how they were ugly and truly just felt like if you can rock them, do so.
- Croc Pastel Tie Dye Platforms – $55.00 on Amazon
I actually didn’t buy these on Amazon, I bought them at the Croc Outlet in Foley last year but, I can’t find them on the Crocs website anymore. However, these are my favorite crocs ever because they are platforms and give me a little extra “umph” in my height. I also think my jibbit charms look adorable in them.
- Michael Kors Manhattan Medium Contrast-Trim Leather Satchel – $143.20 (currently on sale)
I have been obsessed with this bag for literal years now. Ever since the first time I saw it on Twitter at one of the Fashion Weeks and have wanted it forever. Then my fiancé surprised me with it for Valentine’s Day. I’ve been using it ever since. The picture in my opinion does not do this gorgeous bag justice.
Last, but not least, I’m going to talk about the tech space for a little bit and there’s only one thing in this category.
- My AirPod Max Dupes – $12.00 from TikTok Shop
I really wanted some more over the ear headphones and wanted to try these since they looked like a pretty good dupe for the Apple AirPod Maxes. The sound quality is pretty good, definitely better than I expected. Worth the little $12 I paid. I will saw though that the shipping condition of the boxes were trash.
That’s all for my favorites for the months of July and August! You can shop everything from my favorites list on my Shop My Shelf for the favorites. I’m going to definitely stay on track for September when the time comes. Do you have a favorite product from the past two months? Let me know!
Lovingly yours,
Links:
+ Listen to The Muse Mixx Vol. 13 on Spotify & YouTube
+ Listen to The D-Sides on Spotify
+ Follow me on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
+ Check out all my Shop My Shelves
