May Favourites

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation £10.99
Caudalie Beauty Elixir £32.00
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter £12.50
REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask £30.00
First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser £13.00
Revlon Lip Butter Berry Smoothie £7.99
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 £31.00
Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter £32.00
MAC Eyeshadows £10.00
NARS Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 £24.00

I’ve got quite a few favourites this month, I’ve been quite boring this month and have used a lot of the same products all month, I’ve been trying to save myself some time getting ready and go for a lighter look. I’ve changed my skincare quite a lot recently, I’m still using mainly natural products aimed at sensitive skin, but less less aimed at oily and acne prone skin. My skin has cleared up a lot recently and I feel like it needs a bit more moisture.

Like most bloggers I have been loving the Caudalie Beauty Elixir I keep the travel size in my bag and the full size on my dresser, I love the smell, and find it really refreshing on my skin. I’ve been hunting for the perfect cleanser to use with my Clarisonic, and the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser is pretty close, I got this sample in a Glossybox, and didn’t like it at first, but when paired with the Clarisonic it works amazingly well, the texture is perfect it isn’t so thick that it is hard to use, or so thin that it just disappears into the brush, I will be buying the full size! I’ve reviewed the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask here, so I won’t go on about it again!

The The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter has been my moisturiser of choice this month, and I’d happily smell it all day, it smells amazing. Just go to the Body Shop sniff a tub and you’ll understand my obsession!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation is still my base of choice, it just works and lasts so well for me that I just don’t feel the need to use anything else. If you can find a colour match I would really recommend this. I use NARS Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 as my primer and SPF, it has a light formula, perfect if you don’t enjoy silicone heavy products. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 is a new favourite of mine, it sets my foundation without being too heavy and gives a nice soft glow. I’ve been keeping eyes and lips simple using Revlon Lip Butter Berry Smoothie almost daily, and MAC’s Shroom and Wedge for a daytime eye look. I then use Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter to highlight my cheekbones.

What products have you been loving lately?

March Favourites

I’ve tried lots of new products this month, and most of them have worked pretty well for me. I‘ve ditched a lot of products that just weren’t doing anything for and I’ve cancelled all my beauty box subscriptions! I’m trying to stick to the brands that are working for me, and I’ve got a lot of reviews coming up soon!

Vivo Brow Kit (£5.00 ~ Tesco) I don’t think I could sing this products praises enough, for the money it’s brilliant and I will not be trying any other brow powders. I am currently using both the cool dark shade to fill in my brows, and the pale shade to add texture. They work great wet or dry, and I love applying them with my Japonesque Angled Brow Brush.

Avene Cleanance K (£10.50 ~ Boots/Escentual.com) Cleanance K is an exfoliating gel, that uses AHA’s and BHA’s to exfoliate the skin. I use this once a day, usually at night, and after using this for about 3 weeks, my skin is a lot clearer. I currently only have one blemish, which is pretty much unheard of. This is helping slightly in getting rid of the acne scarring left from previous breakouts, but it is still my main skin concern.

Vichy Normaderm Micellar Solution (£11.50 ~ Boots) I love this for removing make up. It’s so quick, and perfect for when I get home from work and just want to wipe away the day!

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti Breakage Serum (£5.99 ~ Boots) This is silicone free, and makes my hair feel really soft and healthy. I apply it to ends everyday, and have also mixed it with conditioner for an intensive treatment. It’s such good value (especially when compared to other hair oils) and smells amazing!

Maybelline Color Tattoo On and On Bronze (£4.99  ~ Superdrug) I use this as a base for my Naked Palette, and it works brilliant for me.I have had no problems with creasing. The colour is so beautiful.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (£10.99 ~ Boots/Superdrug)  I’ve been enjoying using this gel foundation, it’s so easy to blend and lasts really well on my skin. I could live without the scent, but the finish and longevity still make it a favourite.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (£31.00 Boots) A very expensive favourite, but another gorgeous foundation if you want to splurge! Great for oily skin, as it’s water based, and not at all heavy.

What are your favourites this month?

January Favourites

No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream I bought this when Boots started chucking out the £5 No7 vouchers and I’ve used it everyday since. I use it mixed in with a small drop of Estee Lauder Double Wear. It lasts all day, and my skin feels comfortable not dry or oily. A lot of the time I won’t even powder or touch up through the day. I’ll be repurchasing this as soon as it runs out! You can readmy full review here.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish If you read yesterdays post you will know that my skin was misbehaving earlier this month, so I turned to the only cleanser that I knew wouldn’t make it worse. I use this morning and night, and have stopped using any other cleansers. Since I starting using this again I haven’t had any breakouts and my skin looks a lot healthier and more radiant. I bought two jumbo sized pumps from QVC so I wont be running out for a while!

Soap and Glory The Daily Smooth Nik got me this in a gift set for Christmas and its great for when my skin is feeling really dry , which in this weather is all the time! It’s got a lovely thick texture but it sinks in quickly and doesn’t make my skin feel greasy. It also smells amazing, I also love the Clean Girls! shower gel/lotion which has the same scent.

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural After hearing about this every where I finally caved and picked it up before Christmas. I’m so glad I did because now I won’t be without it! I was using Mac Blot Powder, but I’ve started favouring a more natural dewy look and this is perfect for that.

MUA Matte Eyeshadow Shade 19 I’ve been using this everyday to do my brows, and I’m finding it works really well. I’d actually forgotten that I bought this, when I found it in my stash. I use an angled brush spritzed with some Mac Fix+ and it matches my hair colour really well. It isn’t really red toned, but it also isn’t to ashy either, so if your after a neutral matte brown this might be worth a try.

Stila All Over Shimmer Powder Duo in Kitten I bought this with Boots points before Christmas, this gives a lovely and believable highlight. It’s quite golden toned but it looks more believable than a pink toned highlight, even on my cool toned skin. I have always preferred powder highlights, I’m too lazy for creams or liquids, but this doesn’t look powdery on the skin and blends really well.

Benefit They’re Real I have the worlds most stubborn lashes. No matter how long I spend curling every morning, pretty soon they’re straight again. I don’t know how this mascara does it but it gives a better curl than any other mascara I’ve tried. I usually have a few mascaras on the go, but lately I’ve only been reaching for this.

Models Own Lip Balm in Blackberry My lips have been chapped and dry all month so I’ve been forgoing lipstick in favour of this. It’s a gorgeous berry colour and keeps my lips soft.

Vivo Ultimate Brow and Eye Kit I’ve been using this in combination with the MUA eyeshadow, and I’ve mainly been using the lightest shade through my brows to add a bit of texture.

September Favourites

I’m a little late with my September (and completely forgot August) but here’s a few of my favourite finds this month;

Bourjois Bio Detox Foundation (£10.99): I bought this because I wanted a cheaper foundation to use everyday than my Double Wear. It’s silicone free, and has a matte finish. Its a really nice non-heavy foundation that last well on me and provides medium coverage.

Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude (£47.00 for 50ml): I love this perfume, it’s got a really warm musk scent, with floral notes. I love that it isn’t sweet, it feels really sophisticated. Definitely a fragrance I will be repurchasing.

MAC Wood-Winked (£9.50): This was one of the first MAC shadows I bought, and at first I wasn’t that keen (I was on a bit of a matte kick) I been loving using it for a warm brown smokey eye lately. It also looks great with greens.

Purity Facial Wash (£4.99)*: I’ve been using this facial wash twice a day, and I really love it, its simple to use and removes make–up with ease. (Full Review)

Sleek Oh So Special Palette (£6.49): This palette has got some really gorgeous colours, as with most Sleek eyeshadows they’re all really pigmented and easy to blend. I particularly love the pink/gold duochrome on the bottom row.

Oral B Complete (£3.49): I bought this out of curiosity, it’s been pegged as being great for whitening etc. I don’t know that my teeth are any whiter, but they are cleaner and less prone to staining, so perhaps they look a little whiter. 

July Favourites

Thought I’d better get this in quick before the months over!

Naked Mild Shampoo: I’ve been using SLS free shampoos for a few month now, and this is my favourite so far. Normal shampoos had left my scalp red, sore and flaky, this shampoo is aimed at sensitive scalp’s so I thought it would be worth trying out. My hairs in a lot better condition, and I’m no longer having problems with my scalp, so this shampoo is a winner for me.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder: I prefer to wear a tinted moisturiser in the summer, but I still feel I need a bit of extra coverage, so this powder is perfect for me. It’s high coverage and comes in a wide range of shades to suit cool, warm and neutral skin tones.
Mac 217: I love this brush, I use it for buffing in concealer and blending my eyeshadow. Seriously, yoiu need this brush!
Mac Beauty Powder Oh So Fair: Released with last years Christmas collection, I hadn’t paid this much attention, until the weather started perking up and I wanted to warm up my complexion. Oh So Fair is a sheer warm pink perfect for adding warmth to pale skin.
Gosh Defining Brow Gel: I’ve been using this stuff everyday, read my full review here.
Beauty UK Lip Lust Cocktail: A fuss free lip colour, to add some colour to you face, completely non-sticky and easy to apply. Full review here.

My Classics: Things I would repurchase again and again...

After Tuesday's post about buying bans I decided to rifle through my stash and find five things I would repurchase again and again.
In no particular order;

1. Dolce and Gabbana Lipsticks

Dolce and Gabbana Lip Jewel

 This was a christmas present from my boyfriend, I dont tend to spend this much on lipsticks, so it was a very welcome gift. These are some of the most smooth and pigmented lipsticks I've used. They aren't drying and last a long time even through eating and drinking. I plan to treat myself to a full size lipstick from Harrods when I go on holiday.

2. Benefit Dandelion

This blush/finishing powder isn't for everyone, as it is quite pale, so wont show up on anything above I think a Mac NC/W 25. For me it is the perfect blusher if Im doing dramactic eyes and/or lips and I don't want the blusher to compete. As you can see the box is quite worn, will probably be needing to repurchase this pretty soon, I'm almost out!

3.Mac Blot Powder

This powder is my perfect setting powder, it doesn't give any coverage, it just mattifies. Which as I have oily skin and cycle to work is a complete necessity for me. It also doesn't oxidise, so is great if you hate the feeling of being caked in powder.

4. Mac Carbon Eyeshadow

I think most beauty fiends use a matte black shadow at some point. I don't use this everyday but I wouldn't be without it. It can be used as a liner on its own, wet or with sealing liquid, to correct mistake made with liquid or gel liner, to add depth to a smokey eye, or applied lightly and blended for an everyday look. There really are endless uses for this shadow, not its not exciting, full of sparkles or duochrome, but its practical and useful. A classic.

5. Mac Ruby Woo

Every woman has a perfect red lipstick. Ruby Woo is mine without a doubt. The right red can make your face look more alive, make your skin look bright, and your teeth whiter. I have a few red lipsticks bu this is my failsafe. If I'm going out in a hurry I'll wear this with a neutral shadow and some black liner. Also because of the texture, it does not budge, some may find the texture dryong, but it's easily solved with lipbalm.

The weekends almost here! To say I can't wait would be an understatement!