Without even realizing it, sometimes I pull together my top 10 faves for the month and a theme emerges. In fact, I find it a great way to kind of let my mood be reflected – in the case of July, I noticed a trend. First, the stunning colours of each of the products reveals a vibrancy and brightness that only summer can lend. Second, can anyone say, self-care?

I know, I know. Self-care can basically be all things beauty, but really it isn’t. Taking care of yourself isn’t about putting makeup or moisturizer on, it’s about taking time for yourself, prioritizing you and making sure you have time to spend with, yup, yourself. Indulging in a nice bath or spritzing some hair mist might be a part of that routine for you (like it is for me), but self-care comes in many forms. So this July top 10 faves is all about how any product can be part of your self-care ritual.

1. Vital Proteins - Collagen Sleep Shot | 2. Lanolips - 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Minty | 3. Tatcha- The Satin Skin Mist | 4. Pureology- colour fanatic | 5. Kerastase- Resistance Serum Extensioniste | 6. Guerlain- Aqua Allegoria Flora Salvaggia | 7. Kerastase- Blond Absolu Oil | 8. Briogeo - Be Well Organic & Cold Pressed 100% Castor Oil | 9. Merdcado Global (from H PROJECT @holtrenfrewogilvy) - Scrunchie: not available anymore (brand linked here) | 10. Chantecaille- Butterfly Eye Quartet

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9235.jpg — Collagen Sleep Shot

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Sleep is a vital part of my self-care ritual and honestly, it should be for everyone. Sleep is just a basic must – and Vital Proteins Collagen Sleep Shot is a yummy blend of blueberry and lavender with a boost of collagen peptides to ensure that you get a good night’s rest. All about that melatonin these days because sleep is harder and harder to slip into than it used to be. A little sleep aid and I drift right off. Gets me in the right head space to start my day when I’ve slept a good 6-8 hours, am I right?

101 Ointment Multi-Balm Minty

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Healthy lips find their way into my top 5s a lot and for good reason. Nothing worse than puckering dry lips or attempting to bite into something and feeling your lips rip apart. Yup, plight of the dry winter, too humid summer. Lanolips is 100 % natural and supposedly has 101 uses – (think elbows, cuticles, skin-patches…). 101 ointment, multi-balm minty is the peppermint flavour and with pure lanolin, it mimics your skin’s oil, making you look and feel kiss ready.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9259.jpg — Satin Skin Mist

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The Satin Skin Mist by Tatcha is one of those world wonders, I swear. It’s an oil-free mist that is sort of a liquid sort of a powder. Made with Okinawa clay, it draws out impurities and helps reduces clogged pores and oil buildup. The long and short of it is: it’s kind of the coolest thing that you just need to try for yourself. Trust me.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9255.jpg — Color Fanatic

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Indulging in those products you never knew you needed is part of the self-care territory, right? Well the Pureology Color Fanatic leave-in treatment is basically one of those “how did I live without this my whole life?” kind of products. Amazing for detangling your hair, it’s also got this great protective quality that helps it from heat damage while adding a little extra shine, cause why not!?

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9242.jpg — Make it stand Resistance Serum Extensioniste

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While on the topic of hair care,, the Kerastase Resistance Serum Extensioniste has that strengthening element that makes your hair healthy root to tip (I feel like a shampoo commercial, but for real it’s true). A leave-in serum that promote a healthy scalp and prevents your hair from split ends.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9239.jpg — Aqua Allergoria Flora Salvaggia

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Oh Guerlain, one of my favourite fragrances of all time (true fact, just check how often I blog about it!). Aqua Allergoria Flora Salvaggia gives off such a sensational scent: a combo of watermelon and jasmine, fresh and floral, it revitalizes and refreshes and is basically poetry in a bottle. I strongly believe that perfumes are one of the simplest ways to bask in an indulgent treat for your senses.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9252.jpg — Make it stand out

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So, having blonde hair (not totally natural, but not too far off) is very hard to upkeep. Curly, coily, wavy or straight, once your hair is dyed or bleached, you’ve got to take care of it. Preventing the dullness and dryness, Kerastase Blond Absolu Oil helps add shine to sensitive hair and also acts as a recovery with a soft finish. Try it if you have blonde hair, it’s a lifesaver.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9246.jpg — Be Well Organic and Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

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Be Well Organic and Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil from Briogeo – a mouthful but boy does it deliver. Another great hair trick: packed with vitamins and nutrients to help your hair grow in full health, it’s a multi-purpose oil for multiple zones (think brow, scalp, and even skin). This is probably the best one out there, since it’s got an extraction method that is potent in fatty acids and minerals.

DUO-TANG STUDIO-9229.jpg — Mercado Global Scrunchie

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The Mercado Global scrunchie is one of the cutest accessories, especially poolside. I know it’s sort of that 90s throwback, scrunchies, crop tops, biker shorts, but scrunchies are more than a fashion accessory… scrunchies are actually quite useful to tie your hair up and prevent that ponytail bump we all know and hate. The Mercado Global Scrunchie was available at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, but sadly is sold out. Well, not so sadly since the company is a non-profit that empowers rural Latin American women to become entrepreneurs. Through donor-funded business education and leadership programs, helping women create community businesses to support themselves and their families. Love fashion for a cause.

Part of their Butterfly Collection, the Butterfly Eyeshadow Quartet Palette by Chantecaille is such a stunning 4-shadow compact with that subtle shimmer we all love. A mix that lends beautifully to so many looks, sweep on these gorgeous hues and get that ethereal summer look for day or night. It’s a limited edition palette which means, hurry up and get yours.

July truly inspired me to take a look at my beauty products and think about what the essentials were that serve more than just that functional purpose. What I rounded up for you here are those products that have a use but also leave you feeling better, lighter, fresher and happier when you’re done. Self-care in a bottle. Lol!