Handpicked: Favorites in May

It's been a while since I've curated all my favorites into one post! I skipped last month's because I just didn't find anything new or fresh to talk about, but I've definitely got a handful for you this month.


Let's begin with the book. I've been in a bit of a rut when it comes to reading material as of late, but I've really been enjoying Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate). It's a delightful memoir written by Amy Thomas chronicling the year she spent living in France. I've always been more of a fiction kind of girl, and I normally wouldn't have even taken a second glance at this book except to admire the cover art, but I picked it up by chance off of the library shelf and felt compelled to read a few pages. I was hooked! There isn't much of a plot by any means, so if you're looking for a compelling story you may need to try elsewhere. But what makes this book incredible, however, are the lush, delectable descriptions of all the food she ate. We're talking major detail in all of its mouth-watering glory. If you're as much as a foodie as I am with any interest in Parisian culture, this book will make you drool.

After an unofficial eyeshadow hiatus during finals, I was pleased to dig out one of the happiest palettes I own: the LORAC GLOgetter Palette. LORAC's eyeshadows are buttery and simply a dream to work with, but what I especially love about this palette is that it features both neutral tones and bright pops of color. My favorite look to do with this palette features the shimmery champagne color all over the lid, the warm matte brown in the crease, and the two gorgeous plum colors on the outer third blended into the crease. If you'd like a full review or some swatches, check out this post I did on it last year. Unfortunately, it was limited edition, but I was able to find a current listing for it on eBay if you're interested.

Want to know something weird? I have a definite soft spot for green nail polish. One of my favorite this month was Julep's Adrianna, a lovely pistachio creme color that is perfect for this time of you: it's a fresh color, but still a little warm. It doesn't look like it's being sold anymore, but this one is quite similar.

Since the weather is warming up, it's a great time to get that glow on. I've been loving my Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter and Hoola Bronzer to achieve the glowy look and add extra dimension to my face. I love the bronzer because of its matte finish, giving off an effortlessly natural warmth, while the pearly, golden-pink highlighter matches my skin perfectly.

I've never been a big lip gloss or lip stick person, but apparently that's changed over the last few months. I can't go a day without putting a fun color on my lips, even if it's just to take the garbage out. (Glamorous, right? You know how I do.) I find myself constantly reaching for my Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Lilac Love for a fun, sheer purple lip. I love it especially because it's a rich formula that smells of vanilla. I also found myself using the POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Floating Rose quite often. I received it in a Birchbox a few months ago and didn't even think to use it because it was a lip plumper, but I pulled it out recently and am currently enjoying it for it's nice, sheer rosy color.  And, of course, I've got to mention my Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Kiss. I've shown this in another favorites post before, but I love it so much that it's worth mentioning twice. And I kid you not when I say that these smell like those delicious Trefoil girl scout cookies (or any other shortbread, really).

Finally, I have to seriously commend my Revlon Nearly Naked foundation on its hard work this month. My skin has been a major pain recently, from acne to flaking and (almost) everything in between. I couldn't get my skin to look good under any of my foundations (including a Korres mineral powder!), but this one did the trick. Also, it's got a little SPF in it, which never hurts. I'm almost out of it, and I will definitely be repurchasing.

What did you love this month? Let me know if you think I should check something out for next month!