Welcome to the latest installment of The Monthly Edit, a gluttonous feast of my favorite things each month. February was an absolute smorgasbord of exquisite delights — if you knew where to find them online and in your own collection. From the exhilarating new launches that stood out in a particularly crowded month of releases to the tried and trusted skincare staples I simply can’t live without, the new-to-me thrills, the usual suspects you’re undoubtedly tired of hearing me talk about and much more. My favorites aren’t always what I used most but rather what I cherished most. Every month is different, there’s the newcomers and the holdovers, the unexpected and the obvious, the crowd-pleasers and the brow raisers. You can find every installment of The Monthly Edit here. Let’s dive in.
Programming Note: This post includes more goodness than an email can handle and will get cut off. Don’t miss a thing, read it here!
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The February Edit: Not Short, Not Sweet
I’m glad that’s over.
I don’t mean to sound like a downer (a Negative Natalie?) but to make a long story short, February was a discombobulating rollercoaster of emotion that left me utterly depleted within the first few days. Okay, maybe I am a bit of a downer but February is always a tough month — especially during a leap year. And unfortunately, I never managed to recover from those feelings of frantic, unsettling and relentless exhaustion that hit me like a truck at the start of the month. As a result, I had an incredibly difficult time “showing up,” whether it be on here, on Instagram or in my real life, for my loved ones, etc. After beating myself up about it for a while, I finally realized it was okay to take a break and take a step back — even if that meant coming up short in most aspects of my life. No one is their very best all of the time, that’s okay.
But that’s not to say February was all bad, after all I’m an indoor cat at heart and it was nice to act like one for once — especially because I got to spend more time cuddling with my actual indoor cat. There were plenty of moments of boundless joy throughout the month. And of course, there were also a handful of absolutely enchanting new releases (and flops), several new-to-me finds and lots of loving what I already have. Also…
A Few February Updates:
I watched an embarrassing amount of television last month, including a lot of True Detective. Not only did I tune in for each episode of True Detective: Night Country but I also decided to binge the first season of True Detective the whole way through — twice. Please fill me in on all of your season one and four theories in the comments below (mean it!).
I basically lived in these sweatpants — like I said, I didn’t really leave my apartment — and this sweatshirt. Though to be fair, that sweatshirt is kind of part of my uniform.
I barely wore makeup in February but when I did, this absolutely perfect powder somehow pulled it all together. I’m obsessed with it and I’m really trying not to go on and on about it for the seventy-ninth time.
Time Sensitive Update (!!):
Dermstore’s Beauty Refresh Sale is going on now and SO many of my favorite products are up to 20% off when you use my code: myskinterest. I’ve shopped on Dermstore for years and always look forward to their sales, so you can imagine that I still pinch myself over the fact that I get to work with them to promote the sale. If you choose to shop the sale and want to support me, please feel free to use my code (myskinterest) and this link! The sale runs through 3/10 11:59 pm PST. Thank you so much in advance! Xo.
Nat Note: I am working with Dermstore on a paid ad over on my Instagram stories; however, this is not part of that work.
Now, Let’s Get to the Feast…
February Highlights
While I can’t possibly speak to or feature each product or item included each month in a graphic or post, I always link the full list of the scrumptious treats I’ve cherished most that month for you to nibble on. If you have questions about the products featured in this month’s edit below or in the full list, please leave me a comment! I’d love to hear from you.
U BEAUTY | The Super Intensive Face Oil (save w/ myskinterest): In a crowded month of new releases that eclipsed one another within seconds, U Beauty’s The Super Intensive Face Oil was easily my favorite and stood out from all the rest. And that says a lot coming from me because while I have incredibly dry skin, I almost never reach for a face oil. In my experience, even the best face oils tend to sit on top of the skin and inevitably feel messy, heavy and greasy. But, of course, The Super Intensive Face Oil is in a league of its own. I don’t really know how to describe it but U Beauty’s face oil almost doesn’t even feel like an oil because it’s so lightweight. The Super Intensive Face Oil seems to melt into my skin immediately (like really, really quickly — don’t rub your hands together!) while also giving my skin the most ethereal glow and lasting hydration. I apply it as the last step in my nighttime skincare routine and it only takes one drop to leave my skin feeling quenched, plump, hydrated and smooth — all without any irritation or breakouts. As ever, it’s made with U Beauty’s innovative cocktail of hero ingredients (and then some) and is lightweight enough to use throughout the year. But not only does it provide immediate and lasting hydration, it’s also an absolute delight to interact with. As a packaging snob, I love the heavy glass bottle (though the plastic top isn’t special) and I’m obsessed with the oil’s bright, blood orange hue. I truly can’t recommend The Super Intensive Face Oil enough. — save w/ myskinterest
CROWN AFFAIR | The Dry Shampoo: While most of my skin is akin to an arid climate, my scalp is oily and within twelve hours of washing my hair, it’s greasy. So it’s safe to say I’ve tried my fair share of dry shampoo over the years. But I was never loyal to one brand over another until I started using The Dry Shampoo from Crown Affair. I purchased a jar over a year ago when I started to really fall in love with Crown Affair, though I didn’t think it would work for me. But despite all odds, The Dry Shampoo is an absolute game-changer. Not only does it absorb grease effectively but it also adds volume to my otherwise flat hair. The fluffy brush makes it ridiculously easy to pick up just enough of the loose powder and target the areas you need it most without accidentally getting carried away and making your hair white (we’ve all been there). The Dry Shampoo from Crown Affair has completely shifted the way I think about and interact with dry shampoo. Before, dry shampoo felt like more of a production and it was hard to use only a little bit, especially as someone with a lot of hair. Now, I find myself casually dabbing it here and there before I go to bed or head out for the day/night because Crown Affair’s is a different experience and a different product all together. Plus, a jar of The Dry Shampoo lasts me forever while a normal bottle barely got me through a month.
SUPEREGG | Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum (save w/ myskinterest): You know when a product feels so incredibly special that you try to use it only on special occasions because you want it to last forever? That’s how I felt about Superegg’s Tonal Scenery Reparative Serum until a few weeks ago when I finally decided to let myself enjoy a serum I truly love. While I have at least eight-hundred serums in my collection, Tonal Scenery was an instant favorite from the very first drop and I continue to reach for whenever my skin is irritated or particularly dry. The lush, lightweight, gel-like serum is a magnificent concoction of brightening ingredients, hyaluronic acid, protective probiotics and so much more — yet it’s wonderfully gentle and soothing. Tonal Scenery instantly feels like a rush of hydration on the skin and always leaves my skin feeling more hydrated, nourished, plump and nourished. Suspended in the serum are these otherworldly biome-boosting capsules that look like magic and swiftly disappear into the skin with ease. The packaging is unlike most other Superegg products, as Tonal Scenery is nestled inside a delightfully heavy glass vessel that elevates the user experience beyond even the most expensive serums. Not only is this your sign to stop saving your favorite things for a rainy day and let yourself enjoy them, but it’s also your sign to add Tonal Scenery to your cart. — save w/ myskinterest
RHODE SKIN | Pineapple Refresh Cleanser: If there’s one thing I love, it’s a balmy cleanser. And while I’m not the biggest of each and every product from Rhode Skin (we’ve discussed this), the new Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is undeniably great. It’s decadently balmy, hydrating and lathers better than you’d expect without irritating my sensitive eyes (everyone’s different). It effectively cleanses my skin but never leaves it feeling “too clean” or stripped — a true feat for any cleanser going up against my dry skin. And despite what the name would suggest, it’s fragrance-free — which is perfect for me because even though I don’t mind fragrance, I really hate pineapple. Plus, everything about the Pineapple Refresh Cleanser feels abundant and indulgent to me. While 150ml is pretty standard, the golden balm feels perfectly dense and nourishing, and you only need a small amount to get an incredibly satisfying foamy lather — which is probably why it feels so abundant. Honestly, I kind of just love it and, if you’ll remember, I’m annoyingly picky about cleansers!! It’s become my go-to cleanser in the morning and makes a regular appearance as my final cleanse in my nighttime skincare routine — I basically can’t put the Pineapple Refresh Cleanser down. I really think you’ll love it, too.
Now it’s your turn. Tell me all about what you’ve been coveting over the last month! Let’s discuss!
Wondering about that pair of absolutely perfect jeans? Want the details on that serum? Looking for some help comparing one product to another in your collection to decide if you really need it? Just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! Like this post and leave a comment below to let me know you enjoyed this installment of The Monthly Edit. Xo.
Until next time, follow along on Instagram and browse all of my favorite things. Don’t forget to click the 🤍 before you go! Thank you for being here. Talk soon.
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