Here are some of the products I used this month:

BEAUTY Settling into autumn, even a somewhat mild one here in Massachusetts, I've finally starting using some of my well-loved products as well as some new ones. SKIN

A friend gifted me INNBeauty Project's 10+10 Moisturizer and Retinol Remix...just to try out. Good golly, this combination is fantastic. At night, after cleansing, usually with Cetaphil Healthy Radiance cleanser, I apply the retinol serum/lotion followed by the moisturizer. And then, on top of that, my new favorite Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Balm (my heart; I'm already 3/4 of the way through the jar of this balm. It's heavenly.) And then, the next morning, I wake up with super-soft, super-smooth skin. ZERO irritation. No problems. No issues. No redness.

For the day, I continue to cleanse with Cetaphil in the morning. Always use a gentle cleanser in the morning as to not strip my skin. I apply my favorite sunscreen either from Trader Joe's or SuperGoop, the Moisture Rich Balm or 10+10 moisturizer, and then the same eye cream from Mac I've used for years (Fast Response).

Personally, I got back and forth with when I apply sunscreen - before or after moisturizer. I like to apply it first and then everything else on top once it's set. MAKEUP I'm all over the place with foundations. I'm still using the Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation, Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion stick, and Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops. Incorporating Armani's Luminous Silk foundation, even on a daily basis, is a definite. What's great about this foundation is that you can use a dot and blend it all over you face. That one small amount makes it appear as if you spent 15 minutes on your complexion.

There's one secret I've been using for years. I worked part-time for Sephora for almost 6 years and had to work all day every Saturday. Working 11 hours means my foundation had to look flawless but stay put. On those days, I combined a face and body (meaning - it won't budge or transfer) with the Luminous Silk. I got the longevity of a face and body (usually from Make Up For Ever) and the glow and perfection of the Armani.

I highly recommend this combination.

I'm also still loving Tower 28 Sunny Days tinted moisturizer. It's so good; it really perfects the skin. If I need to, I even add a foundation on top, but it looks great by itself.

For other products, nothing really new for shadows. For me, I love working on the skin. I've not added anything new to my cheeks, really. I'm still using Merit's Bronze Balm in Seine and brought back a favorite, Chanel's Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream...although mine is the original Soleil Tan de Chanel. I know it's old, but it's not that old. I love the original color.

I finally cracked open my Merit Flush Balm Cream blush in Stockholm. Nothing beats their blush balms. They're so easy to apply and take up very little room in my bag. I just got a new Ciele cream blush but I've not opened and tested that yet.

For mascara, I still love the Tower 28 MakeWaves mascara. This is a great mascara. Most of the time, I like a nice natural lash. This worked and then some. I also picked up what new Westman Atelier I Want You mascara in brown. I was on a call with the brand, introducing the new product. Of course, I had to buy it pronto. I just have to work it into my routine. Testing continues.

For lipsticks, I stuck with many of my favorites and mostly glosses. They include Merit's Shade Slick Gelee in Les Deux, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar (I still really love it), and a few lip tints! One from Huda Beauty and one from Rom&nd. Pretty good, pretty good. But, reminder: Always use balm either before or after applying a tint.

FRAGRANCE I actually picked up a new scent...to try out. Travel size is a great way to test out a fragrance. If you love it, great, you can buy the large size. If you don't like it, great, you only invested maybe $30.

As I mentioned last month, I've been testing out sandalwood fragrances. I'm OK with it, but it depends on the fragrance. If I test out a scent or two, I'll likely do it either last summer or after summer ends. I think it has to do with the change in season.

The newest candidate is Lake & Skye, Santa Gray. I still go back and forth with sandalwood scents, overall, but I really like this fragrance. It's a little softer than the Maison Louie I have. For me, I'm always looking for a more a more interesting fragrance (musk or spice) but it always has to lean feminine. And Santa Gray (SG) is pretty soft and feminine. It's soft and settles beautifully. I know it has a bit of violet leaf and cardamom but, for me, those pieces give it a warmer feel. Not a headache of scent. I've tested Santal 33 and it leans a bit too strong for me. SG is much more up my alley. NAILS Another buy month. September and October are normally pretty busy work months for me, so keeping my nails short and neat is the only way to go. Again, OPI Nail Envy the best sheen around. Even if you put zero time into your nails, this Nail Envy gives nails a pretty "polished" look. Holiday season coming on fast!