Hello again & a few summer beauty favorites

Hi there!  It's been far too long since I have posted. Easter to be exact.  Life has been busy, I've been somewhat uninspired, so taking a break seemed to be the way rather than boring you with a series of mundane posts.  However, it does feel good to be back and I hope you're having a lovely spring and soon-to-be summer.

Speaking of summer...it's the perfect time to change up our beauty regimens, non?  I revamped mine a few weeks ago rather inadvertantly.  I ran out of face wash, started using my husband's face wash (at his urging for me to 'simplify' my routine to give my skin a break), and voila! my temperamental winter/spring skin was eased of sensitivity/redness and began to calm. Today when my oldest bestie told me that my skin looked "flawless" I was shocked and flattered.  Although I had seen improvement, we are usually our own worst critics aren't we ladies? When this same friend asked me to share my secrets (and encouraged me to blog about them), I decided to take her up on it...afterall, sharing and receiving beauty secrets is one of my favorite pastimes.  Here goes...

{Who would've thought men's face wash would solve my skin issues?  Hubby was right afterall. photo via}



{Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Matifying Fluid- LOVE THIS!  Made my skin wedding ready 2 years ago and I finally bought a new tube and wondering why I waited so long to repurchase.  Read about my love of Caudalie here. photo via sephora.com}




{Chanel Double Perfection Compact. Natural, flawless, & lightweight. photo via chanel.com}



{Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel.  Obviously a bronzer but doubles as an eyeshadow palette. photo via chanel.com}



{Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Empreinte. The beginning of a perfect nude lip. photo via chanel.com}



{Chanel Scintillantes No. 327. The perfect finish to a perfect nude lip. photos via}


While we're on the subject of favorites, I've been lusting over the Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee outfit today:


{This lovely lace dress is by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. photo via}


What summer beauty secrets are you keeping?
xo,
Alicia