It's time for another installment of my monthly favorites, where I showcase the best makeup and skincare products for the month!

Last month I was busy trying lots of new beauty products and makeup looks, so my favorites were beauty basics that I found myself reaching for again and again.

1. Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  I used to apply my base products with my fingers almost exclusively, but a couple of months ago I started reaching for this brush more and more.  Since I've been mixing liquid highlighters into my tinted moisturizer lately, this brush has become a daily staple.  It creates a seamless finish, and keeps my hands clean, too!  I love this brush and the value is awesome.  If you're looking to add to (or start) your makeup brush collect, you've got to look into these.  The Buffing Brush is sold as part of a set, but the Foundation Brush is probably just as good and it's sold separately.

2. Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Acne Treatment & Overnight Repairing Pads. This month I dealt with a few breakouts.  Luckily that's not a common occurrence for me, but I tend to get acne scars, so I have to be aggressive when I see a breakout.  I bought these due to the rave reviews on Sephora, and I've been pretty happy with them.  I use them at night after washing my face when I feel the need to treat or prevent some acne.  The key ingredient is salicylic acid, and I haven't experienced any dryness or irritation.  These are definitely gentle enough for nightly use, so they'd be great whether you have occasional or frequent acne.  Definitely something to look into if you need something to help with breakouts.

3. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster.  I was on the market for a new moisturizer, and decided to pick up a kit from Ole Henriksen at Sephora that included this serum plus a moisturizer and eye cream.  I'd never tried the brand, so I figured the kit would be a great way to try a few new products.  So far, I love this serum.  The key ingredient is vitamin C, which really helps brighten and even out my skin.  I started noticing a difference in a few days and am very excited to see more progress as I continue using it.  This serum is very light and absorbs quickly into the skin.  Vitamin C also has anti-aging properties, so I'd definitely recommend this product.

4. L'Occitane Organic Shea Butter Lip Balm.  I feel like I'm constantly buying lip balm, but I can never find it when it need it!  I bought this a couple of months ago, and really love this.  It's super moisturizing, yet it soaks into my lips nicely, so they don't look too greasy or shiny.  This lip balm is long-lasting, and organic, so I'll definitely be repurchasing once it's finished.

5. Carven L'Eau de Toilette.  This is a very fresh fragrance that I've really enjoyed using over the last month or so.  I typically prefer white floral scents, but I started using a body lotion that had a very green scent, so I decided to just go all the way with a fresh scent as well.  It has notes of Italian lemon, sweet pea, peony, freesia, white hyacinth, wisteria, white woods, sandalwood and a bit of musk.  I like that there's a bit of sweetness, but the overall feeling is very light and fresh. If you like sweet scents but want to try something new, I'd definitely recommend this fragrance.

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What have you been loving lately?