July favourites

Already, we're three days into August and that's an absurd thought. As cliche as it sounds, this year is going way too fast! Before we know it, it'll be Christmas again and we'll look back and realise we've taken advantage of another 12 months worth of potential. July has been a funny old month for me, yet probably the most enjoyable month yet. I seemed to have missed half of the month due to being on a fantastic family holiday and away from the real world and when I returned, the remaining weeks were over in a flash. I can't fault the weather back home though, it's been glorious (up until a few days ago which is typical when I need the lighting) and for once, it's actually felt like I've been able to appreciate everything that contributes to the vibe of summer. July has opened the bigger picture for me and given me the chance to gather together a whole load of favourites; whether that be a treasured book or my staple beauty product, I've certainly discovered a lot of new things. 

John Green and his mesmerising books: Even before all the hype surrounded The Fault In Our Stars, the life ruining, beautifully heartbreaking book that made its way into the film industry, I fell in love with John Green and his writing. I think I read TFIOS around a year ago and ever since then I was hooked. It's only recently I decided to indulge in the bigger picture and move on to John Green's other popular books whilst lounging around the pool. The stories are all different yet they all provide the same feelings and cycle of emotions; sad, happy, moved, inspired, amused, grateful, lucky and grasping for more. I can really feel myself stepping into the story when I'm reading John Green, my personal representation of how the situation would be set out if it was to become a film is instantly created in my imagination. Not only that, it makes me think of reality and how things can change so quickly which is why you always have to live for today. Overall, I hope if/when Paper Towns and Looking For Alaska are made into movies, they will have just as much success and will do the books just as much justice as The Fault In Our Stars did.

Urban Decay Naked Palette: As I mentioned in my birthday gifts and buys post back in June, I purchased my very first Naked palette with my birthday money. One and a half months later and it's been heavily used with nothing but positive words to be said. I am in love with this palette, there's just about one colour for every occasion and the shades are so subtle and natural; the perfect complimentary colours for my eye colour. As expected, the colours are super pigmented and swiftly apply crease free with that look that screams out high quality. My favourites so far are Sin, Naked, Half Baked and Toasted (often these combined too) but I could praise every single one of them. The combination of shimmer and matte powders allows you to mix it up and create any desired look and leaves you without worrying and wandering if it will last throughout the day (which it does indeed). The packaging is just another bonus, the suede, velvet top is gorgeous and the way it's generally produced and given out is so elegant.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream: Originally I had bought this in two shades darker for my holiday, when I knew my paleness would vanish and the bronze look would make its way in. Initially, it did the trick but now my tanned face is fading, I'm going to have to take a trip to Boots to purchase my usual colour. That's a good thing though, of course. This CC cream is a definite repurchase for the continuing summer months. I love how lightweight this feels on the skin,  it never feels as though you are caked in makeup even though it does give great coverage. It provides the natural, brightening look I aim for and does an amazing job at evening my skin tone without drowning those neutral features out of my face. It definitely gives more of a sheer glow but it does rid the skin of any dullness and helps conceal any blemishes, leaving a fresh appearance and a smooth, satin finish. I do have to use concealer and powder to complete my makeup as it can leave my face a little too dewy (but more than likely that's due to my over oily complexion) but it makes the perfect base and seems to have a good 8 or 9 hours or so lasting power. It is quite a runny substance so you have to be careful when squeezing the tube; I prefer to blend the cream with my fingers first and then go over with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, making sure it is entirely unified.  

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder in 51: I never really used bronzer before I became a blogger and before I was curious about extending my collection but as I fancied a change and felt ready to tackle the lesson of contouring, I gave this a go. I don't think this is dark enough to use to contour but to lightly blend, it is spot on. I love everything about this, the book-like packaging, the sweet, chocolately smell and the healthy, radiant shimmer glow it gives you. For my pale skin, it matches like a dream; it's nor too light or too swarthy, you can see you have applied the bronzer but it leaves your skin looking naturally bronze, matified and warmed. 

Zoeva 127 Deluxe Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush: Makeup brushes are slowly but surely becoming another side of makeup that I'm obsessively intrigued in. I actually bought this brush from Depop as a quick and needy buy for my holiday, I think this particular brush is part of the Rose Golden collection opposed to purchasing this separately but it still does the trick and works the same. The bristles on this brush are the softest and fluffiest I've ever come across on a makeup brush. The softness of the brush allows the product to beautifully blend with just one sweep, creating a flawless, natural look effortlessly. The angled structure is another reason to big up this brush, it makes application easy and brings the bronze/highlight naturally to the shape of your cheek.

Zoeva 221 Luxe Soft Crease Brush: Another Zoeva brush I'm loving is this amazing eyeshadow brush. The blending action when using this little gem is superb, it's a sturdy brush that you can always rely on to integrate your chosen eyeshadow to perfection. I also love to use this to combine shades, the eyeshadow glides across the eye right up to the end section you aim for, leaving a smooth finish. I'm dying to try out more Zoeva brushes since purchasing the two mentioned and I'm sure by how these ones are turning out, more of the brushes will be added to my monthly favourites!

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover: I seem to seriously be admiring Bourjois products lately and this is something I can't get enough of. When it states 'magic' I legitimately think it's been dead serious, this genius solution erases your nail varnish with just one dab of your finger squeezed into the bottle. Not only does it leave your nail freshly clean, it also leaves a lovely, fruity scent afterwards and leaves no residue behind. It's definitely the best invention, handy and saves a lot of time, I regret not trying this months ago now!

The Body Shop Strawberry Sorbet: I picked up this delicious treat when The Body Shop staff were advertising in my local shopping centre. It was said to be a lightweight after sun and with me being back from my holiday and needing a skin boost, I couldn't resist. The sorbets come in a range of scents which was enough to tempt me, this in particular (strawberry) was my favourite, with satsuma being a close second. The gentle, cooling sensation it leaves after applying is so refreshing. It's extremely light and fast absorbing whilst still making your skin feel smooth and flake free. It's a close representation of fruity ice cream, apart from the fact I'm pretty sure smothering ice cream along your body would be much more of a messy situation (ooh-er). 

Thiery Mugler Alien Eau De Toilette Spray: The world's most loveliest perfume award goes to this for certain. I struggle to find a perfume that I like enough to remember to put on everyday, but this hits top marks. With it being rather pricey, I hadn't been able to purchase it since catching a smell of other people wearing it and realising how strong, long lasting and desirable it is but with the kindness of my mum and grandma as we approached duty free at the airport, I finally got my hands on it. It's been my staple scent ever since! It's hard to describe the smell but it's a sensual type with jasmine being the main recognisable aroma. I think it's one of those you either love it or you hate it products but for me - I love it!

Malibu Dry Oil Spray: As crazy as this sounds, not only is this useful for protecting you fully (with great water resistance) in the scorching sunshine, I recognised it does a grand job of drying out those pesky, huge, sore spots that appear randomly and try ruin your holiday. Since coming back home, I purchased another one of these purely for this reason. The Oxybenzone in this means it helps the spot die down and eventually completely vanish. You'd be surprised at how beneficial this is (or maybe my skin acts in bizarre ways - who knows?!)

Gilette Venus and Olay Razor: With these razors often being on special offer, I thought I'd chuck out the regularly 89p Bic razors and treat myself to a "posher" hair remover. First of all, I love the packaging, and it even comes with a convenient shower holder. Not having to use shaving gel/foam and just gliding this ultra smooth and pain free razor across your legs not only saves time but leaves them feeling super silky. The Sugarberry scent in the moisture strip that soaps once used is absolutely delightful and lasts on your legs even when you're a wrinkled prune after removing yourself from a pampering session in the bath. I also use this under my arms and it leaves them just as soft, not leaving behind any prickles or redness and soreness is the main reason it's up here in my favourites!

So to end this ridiculously long/more of a review than a list of favourites post (that seems to be a recurring habit of mine) I shall say here's to the month of August, another product filled 31 days!

March favourites

So here we are again, well into a new month when the previous month seemed to have skipped by without acknowledgement. I can't believe how fast March went, it seemed to be a complete whirl full of variable rollercoasters! The crazy month of March meant I didn't have time to buy that many new products but I hadn't done a favourites post since November last year (how extremely slacking of me!) and I felt as though I needed to update my list to some current beauty favourites that have made their way into my everyday lifestyle lately. 

La Tweez Pro Illuminating Tweezers | £15*

The first thing I wanted to show you is completely random but worth talking about. My Grandma got back from her holiday a week or so ago and as well as bringing back a healthy, glowing tan that makes me feel like a milk bottle, she also very kindly brought me back a gift that she picked up on the plane. At first glance, I wondered how the hell it worked and what its purpose was but ever since I looked into the details, it's been a little miracle worker. As I've mentioned before, I'm trying to get my eyebrows up to a higher standard and I am always in favour of anything that helps to achieve that look. I don't have big brows so I never have to pluck vigorously but these tweezers are amazing for reaching those pesky, tiny hairs that prevent you from having your desired shape and arch. The tweezers come with an auto switch LED light in the centre, as well as a case and a mirror which is not only super magnifying, but is the perfect length and width to focus on only your eyebrow when using. The packaging is quite unusual and you wouldn't think eyebrow tweezers would be placed in there which is what contributes towards my love for these; they are so handy to carry around in your handbag and fold away simply without complication. I have to admit I'd never heard of anything like this before but I'm so glad I discovered them, I use them every time I want to pluck my eyebrows and even day to day when I realise I still have unwanted hairs there. The LED light and the mirror are powerful enough for you to see every hair much closer than you would see and easily miss when looking in a normal mirror and you don't have to spend a long time catching the tip of the hair as these tweezers have a firm grip and are not too sharp around the edges.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water | £3.33

This product has taken the blogosphere by storm and when my L'Oreal 3 in 1 Micellar Solution ran out, I decided I wanted to try it out for myself. I have to say, after only just a few uses I prefer this to the L'Oreal one. The main reason being in the pretty packaging, the huge size for a reasonable price and the fact the liquid is dispensed at the cap which allows you to control how much you'd like to pour, unlike the L'Oreal Micellar Water that often spilt everywhere and meant you had to waste a good quarter full of the bottle. When I first heard of  Micellar Water I was unsure as I didn't know how effective it would be for cleansing my troublesome face but I haven't looked back since. I love how gentle they are on the skin, they have no harsh chemicals and with a few swipes of a cotton pad, they instantly melt the makeup and stubborn grime away from your face. This is certainly no different, it is just like using pure water to cleanse apart from the fact it is more beneficial for purifying entirely. It doesn't have a fragrance which I like as it feels more natural and my complexion is left feeling refreshed and soothed after using it. I have been using this in place of my L'Oreal solution which was used as a base cleanse before I cleansed with a wash and cloth. However, I also use this when I'm feeling a little lazy and it does the job of removing any traces of makeup and dirt without leaving my skin irritated and dull like it often does when I don't stick to my skincare routine. An added bonus to this is the solution not leaving any residue or grease behind which can often be problematic for me. All in all I am really happy with it and I think I will stick to this one in the future.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Elusive | £7.99

I have broken the mighty rule in my photo taking routine which is 'do not use the product until you have photographed it' but I couldn't help myself, I had to try it as soon as I bought it and it's all I've worn since. I picked this up in the mighty famous 3 for 2 at Boots when the deal was on at the beginning to the middle of March. The dynamic range of colours in the Matte Balm collection make it a tough decision to make but in the end I went for the natural pink shade 'Elusive' which I tend to often jump for. This lip balm in terms of packaging reminds me of the Clinique Chubby Sticks but I can't compare the two as I have never tried the chubby sticks. However, I am sure this a great dupe; with what I'm going by I can't give it anything but praise. The lip balm is extremely moisturising and it matifies the lips even within the first use. It is ideal for dryer lips too as it gives your lips a boost in softness and smooth appearance. The balms are highly pigmented, you don't need to apply a lot to notice the tint and it shows the brightness of the colour right away. I love how versatile this colour is, I have been wearing it on the colder days but also on the sunnier days when I have managed to make myself look a little prettier and less, well, wintery? The lasting power is also great for a drugstore product, It manages to stay on for a good proportion of the day and I only really need to reapply if I've eaten a big meal and/or drank a large volume of drink.

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer | £5.99

This is another product I picked up in the 3 for 2 at Boots and oh my god, I couldn't be more thankful of my discovery of one simple staple item than I am for this. I am fairly new to primers so I don't have much knowledge on which ones are the best and which ones don't work so well but this fits my expectations perfectly. This has currently taken the place of my Tea Tree Pore Minimiser which I mentioned in a previous post of mine as I feel this benefits the appearance of my makeup more. For some reason, I tend to react badly to Rimmel products and I can suffer with breakouts from them which I was dubious about when reaching for this but thankfully this hasn't given me any irritation what-so-ever and I only have positive words for it! The primer can be worn alone or under makeup, I've been using it as a base for my foundation and I've found it works best this way. I apply a small amount of this white, creamy based oil free formula all over my face and I allow it to settle for 5 minutes to prepare for my foundation. It sinks into the skin beautifully and there is no greasiness left behind. The thing I love the most about the primer is it's so lightweight and doesn't make your skin feel heavy like some primers can. It doesn't have that wet, slippery feeling to it when applying to the face, it is more like a quick drying lotion and you definitely don't need to cake your face in it as it spreads evenly. As soon as I started using this, I saw a difference in the smoothness of my complexion; it not only leaves my complexion soft to feel but makes it look silky smooth and more radiant. It hides my visible pores and I find it does a wonderful job of covering my blemishes when topped with foundation if I add a little more on to those certain areas. My foundation glides on so well now without leaving any patches and this primer makes it easier for me to blend my foundation and concealer with my brushes. As you may know, I have very oily skin and that's the main contributor towards my makeup sliding down my face and making my skin look horrible. This is the answer to all my problems! It shifts the pesky sheen and shine and keeps my entire makeup in place for pretty much the whole of the day. I've been wanting to find something like this for so long! It's satisfying to see an even, more sleek face when looking in the mirror now and it's actually given me the chance to be more confident. I now feel as if I have the flawless, porcelain skin that is everyone's wish (I know I haven't got that skin but when using this it feels close to reaching that point!). 

Collection 2 in 1 Top Coat | £2.99

There's not much I can say about a top/base coat nail varnish but the fact this is a 2 in 1 is the reason it's made its way into my favourites of this month. I do like my nails to be painted but sometimes it's too much effort to do it everyday. Using this as just a clear nail varnish to boost the shine and sparkle has become my new 'thing' but the fact I can also use this as a top coat for when I fancy painting makes it better. My nails seem to be stronger whilst using this too, they haven't broke in a while and have grown to a satisfactory length which is always a bonus!

L'Oreal Paris Volume Supersizing Spray | £3.79

I have only used this a couple of times throughout the month as I tend to use it when I have curled my hair to give it that extra 'oomph' but I'm really impressed with how it works. The spray goes on the same way as hairspray would but it doesn't leave a sticky texture. It is more of a lightweight spray with a lovely scent that is to be sprayed at the roots of the hair from the correct distance. When spraying, I also use my hands to ruffle through my hair at the top. This way, it gives me the volumized look I desire. I'm always so paranoid with my hair as it can often look quite flat but a spray of this always finishes of my finalised style. I also love how large the bottle is, it will last me a long time!

Upon finishing this post I've only gone and realised I haven't included the main product I've been absolutely loving lately which is the Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin (damn me and my forgetfulness!) but as I do have quite a mouthful of opinion regarding this product, I will do a separate review post on this asap (which is probably for the best as I've rambled enough in this post as it is).

Do let me know if you've tried any of these products and what you thought of them and feel free to give me some recommendations from your own favourite list! Have a lovely weekend :)

August favourites

I can't believe it's September already! Does anyone have any idea where this year has gone? With the X Factor back it means I'm officially starting my countdown to Christmas and with the school holidays more or less over and done with, it means a fresh start is desired all round. I used to love the build up of going back to school, with the whole new uniform/outfits, and the excitement of purchasing a spanking brand new pencil case, a lunchbox and a school bag (which more than likely ended up wrecked by the end of the year) but unfortunately I'm too old to receive the simple joy from pleasing purchases like that so instead I like to think a new month means new products to try out.

I wanted to share a few of my monthly favourites with you because basically since I started blogging, I have enjoyed experimenting with different products I have read up on to see for myself if they truly do work and are worth the hype. Sometimes this is a bad thing, sometimes it's good and I agree with the fact it is highly debatable as I find myself flying past the shelves at drugstores and buying items I don't even need, oops.

LOreal Paris Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution: First of all I'm going to express my opinion on the aforementioned L'Oreal 3-in-1 Purifying Solution. If you haven't heard of this, I think you must have been hiding in an abandoned shelter somewhere (ha ha) as over the months of July and August it is all I have seen. I decided I must try this out and what a treat it's been! I'm so glad I bought it, and I certainly agree with what most bloggers have been saying. Personally, I haven't ever tried Bioderma so I can't compare the two but from using this product I have definitely noticed how cleaner and fresher my skin feels when I remove my makeup. It takes off every last inch in just one smudge across the face and you don't even have to put any force into the elimination of your daily makeup so that's an extra benefit, no aggressive rubbing to cause irritation to the skin. I even use it to remove the unwanted dirt and grime which decides to appear on my skin when I'm not wearing any makeup and it just makes me feel pure (hence the name). I WILL be repurchasing when mine runs out and as you can see it is starting to go down. Just a little tip, there is still an offer on this at Morrisons which lasts until the 15th September so if you're thinking about trying it out, I'd head there as soon as possible!

Garnier Moisture Match in Shine Be Gone: Next on the list is this fabulous product which again is one of the most popular and most raved about at the moment. Garnier have this great test on their website to help you choose and find out which type is most suitable for you and your skin. Before I jumped into buying one of the moisturizers (which I often tend to do and then realise I could have done with a different one) I took the short test and found it very useful. The result was the 'Shine Be Gone for Combination to Oily Skin' which I almost could have guessed because my complexion is extremely oily. On first use of this product I noticed a difference to how my skin felt and looked. My pores were less visible, my skin was smoother, and for the first time in a long time I'd woken up with a refreshed face, not a greasy one. Straight away I knew this was going to be the product for me, not only does it smell heavenly but it improves the texture of my face. I now use it in my daily skincare routine and apply a small amount before I go to bed and in the morning before I put my makeup on. The hydration lasts all day and even makes it easier for me to put on my foundation because of the matte finish. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who suffers with oily skin. The main perk is the oil free reducing the appearance of that annoying shiny skin which you try so hard to get rid of but then bounces back again haunting you. With this, I've found it really does seem to hold the shine off.

Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel: I've always loved Simple products since I was a younger teenager and I suffered with bad skin more than I do now. I think they do exactly as they say and are well, simple and delicate on the skin. The one thing I've never gotten round to trying however, are their face washes. I've tried various other brands over the last few months but this has to be one of my favourites. It squeezes out as a soapy formula but it is much more lighter than actual soap itself. I use it once I have removed my makeup just to give my skin that extra bounce and it certainly does that. My skin feels alive and healthy and adds to the cleanliness. I only picked a small tube up from Primark but I think I will definitely be repurchasing in a bigger size when this one has finished.

Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion Fragrance Mist: Whilst in America I was introduced to Victoria's Secret for the first time. The store was huge and I must have been looking round for a good half an hour being my usual indecisive self but there was just SO much to choose from. There were also so many offers on such as 3 for 2 and a certain number of products for a set price etc so I couldn't resist. In the end I picked up this and two other body lotions for a cheaper price. The words 'coconut and vanilla' hit me straight away as they are my most prized scents and by god, am I glad I went for this body mist. It smells absolutely divine! I overdo it when I spray myself on a morning because the smell is so gorgeous and you don't even have to top it up that much. Since buying this all I hear is 'You smell like coconut!' from my family and I'm glad, because it shows it's well detected even if you can't smell it yourself once it's settled in (that shows its good, right?) I'm so glad a Victoria's Secret is currently being built in my area so I can buy another once I run out but I don't think I will need to yet as the bottles are big enough to last you a while and they are well worth it.

Victoria's Secret Strawberries and Champagne Hand & Body Cream: This is the most I've ever paid for a body lotion because I have to admit I slack in the 'applying body cream daily' pattern and often have zero energy to apply body cream/butter/lotion all over after I have a shower and luckily, my skin often hydrates itself and doesn't get dry. Since purchasing this in America (which is just one of the body lotions, I haven't used the other yet) I have only used this once but it definitely ensures the hydration and is one of the most unique smelling creams ever! I am in love with the sensual scent, it smells good enough to eat. I like to save products like this for those 'special' times (I'm sad, I know) but I don't want to waste it so it shall be used mainly for when I go out, go on holiday or just fancy a pampering day. If one thing is for sure though, it's that it enriches and softens your skin and once again the smell was highly distinctive. It made me feel all cheery and renovated and that's why it must be saved for best.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in True Ivory: I'd just like to thank the blogging/beauty community for highlighting this product as one of the best high street foundations out there. I've FINALLY found one cheap enough and virtuous enough for my peculiar skin, not to mention I find the shapely, glass packaging really appealing. The shade True Ivory matches my tone perfectly, it makes my skin glow and if skin could be happy, it would most definitely be the reason for it. It does exactly as it says on the tin and I could see from first usage that my skin was instantly reawakened, applying it was flawless and no trouble at all as it blends in so sleek and smoothly. I'd say the coverage is medium but that suits me fine as it is so light and comfortable that it doesn't even feel like you are wearing any foundation. Since consuming this I've also noticed it helps with the moisture of my skin but without adding shine. I don't think I'll ever go back to previous foundations I have used and scrapped as everything I've been looking for is right here in this Rimmel product.

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pinch O' Peach: I'm so fussy with blusher, it can't be too dark so it looks silly and unnatural on my pale complexion but it can't be too light so you can't see it at all. After roaming round duty free in Manchester Airport debating whether or not to buy a MAC blush, my darling Grandma offered to buy me one as my much more affordable MUA blush had all broken and I had to chuck it away. This blush is in much more of a sturdy packaging, thank god and you can tell the difference in the quality of MAC makeup, it's a higher standard which is why I love it so much (if only I was richer). At first look the blush looked much darker than the tester I tried out but the assistant persuaded me it doesn't do it much justice and when on the skin, it looks lovely. She was correct, this is the best blush I've had. I'm half and half about trying out the cream blush as I think it might look a bit too much for my skin type so I prefer powdered blush. Applying just one dab of this to finish off my look once I've done my makeup is enough for me to come out glowing and rosy cheeked, but not the over the top rosy cheeked, the fresh, porcelain rosy cheeked. The pigmentation is fabulous and I'd definitely recommend to those who don't have an ultra pale skin tone or an ultra tanned skin tone, just one that sits nicely in-between.

Barry M Sequin Nail Effects in snp3: Last but not least it's this sparkly product. I always find myself coming back to Barry M nail varnishes as I think their variety of colours matches my taste and it seems to last longer than other nail polishes. I originally bought this for my holiday to Florida but never got round to using it but since then I have used it a couple of times over a light colour on my nails and I think the effect looks so pretty as it's not just one set colour, it's a mixture of multicoloured sequins. The only downside is you have to be careful not to knock them once you have painted them as it takes a good 5-10 minutes to dry efficiently and with me using it as a top coat, it does look textured so if you don't like it like that, it's not for you. However, it's fun and girly and reminds me of cupcakes when painted over pink. I am hoping to try out the other two colours to see if I enjoy experimenting with them as much as I do this.

So that's that, my first monthly favourites post out of the way. Has anyone tried any of the products I mentioned? If so, what do you think? I'd love to hear more about if others feel/felt the same and I hope you all had a brilliant August and a relaxing one at that as I'm sure September is bound to be a busier month. It always is!

Lots of love...